Truth and Reconciliation 2024: After the Silence - A Reflection for Catholics

Julia and Adam Kozak, a married couple actively involved in bridge-building and peacemaking with Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Adam, a Lay Pastoral Associate and musician, was the National Project Manager for the Programs Team for the 2022 Papal Visit to Canada. Julia, a member of the Nisga’a Nation, designer and artist, was the Maskwacis Site Coordinator for the Programs Team on the 2022 Papal Visit

“…it is right to remember, because forgetfulness leads to indifference and, as has been said, 'the opposite of love is not hatred, it's indifference and the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference…'” [from Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel]. - Pope Francis, July 25, 2022, Maskwacis, Alta.

We remember that warm summer Monday morning, standing about twenty feet from Pope Francis in the rural community of Maskwacis, Alta. with a large gathering of former Indian Residential School survivors. An historic moment for Canada, but more importantly an intimate encounter of Indigenous People and the Catholic Church in Canada. Seeking healing, forgiveness, justice, understanding.

For the following five days, a spotlight of media attention was shone upon Indigenous relations with the Church and all of Canada like never before. The beauty and the mess. The hurt and the healing. The truth and the hope.

For many non-indigenous Canadians, the Papal Visit to Canada in 2022 was a spotlight on lived experiences of Indigenous people previously unknown to them. Like a dark room suddenly illuminated, there was a jarring effect as these real-life stories were brought to light.

After an encounter so intense, it is healthy and wise to withdraw, to discern, to listen in silence.

Though there are many ongoing efforts, the large scale of media attention has faded on Indigenous and non-indigenous relations including with the Church in Canada. As Catholics, we cannot be a people driven by attention from the media. The real lives of Indigenous people cannot be reduced to value assigned to them by headlines and news stories.

We cannot remain in a season of silence and expect healing to happen.

Then comes a new season. A season for new action, a season to speak. Remembering what is learned and with a bold commitment to what is good and true, we enter this new season.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7

To avoid a perpetual state of silence, what can renewal of commitment to Truth and Reconciliation look like to Catholics in Canada?

• For the spiritual well-being of all Indigenous Peoples of these lands, we pray.
• For the wrongs done to Indigenous Peoples, we ask for forgiveness.
• Supporting the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund so that we may uplift Indigenous organizations in Canada who encourage healing and well-being for Indigenous People.
• Recognize in our parishes, great contributions from Indigenous Catholics over the centuries, such as St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
• Take part in educational opportunities that highlight the dignity of Indigenous Peoples and traditional culture.

Let us encourage and support our Bishops and fellow Catholics in a renewal of commitments to what Pope Francis outlined during his Penitential Pilgrimage to Maskwacis in 2022: “I trust and pray that Christians and civil society in this land may grow in the ability to accept and respect the identity and the experience of the Indigenous peoples. It is my hope that concrete ways can be found to make those peoples better known and esteemed, so that all may learn to walk together. For my part, I will continue to encourage the efforts of all Catholics to support the Indigenous peoples.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Servant of God, Nicholas Black Elk, pray for us!