“The papal bull is a vile decree that led to the slaughter and genocide of Indigenous peoples around the world.” That, from Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron after the announcement that the Vatican has officially rejected the ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ which justified colonizers taking Indigenous lands from their rightful owners and forcing assimilation on them.

A news release from the Vatican says, “The Catholic Church therefore repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of Indigenous peoples.” Chief Cameron considers the statement a a promising step forward for First Nations people, but adds that these racist doctrines allowed Canada to unilaterally claim sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and their lands and further used it as an excuse to commit genocide.  Cameron says, “The honour and intent of Treaty must be upheld. The Treaties must form the basis of laws surrounding our waters, lands, and resources, not the manipulated documents that the Vatican denounced today, nor the Crown’s misguided interpretations.”

It was eight months ago that Pope Francis visited Indigenous communities in Canada.

NDP MLA Betty Nippi-Albright stood up in the Saskatchewan Legislature this morning to say she believes this announcement from the Vatican is a small but important step to correct the wrongs done to Indigenous peoples and a meaningful path towards reconciliation. “I ask all members to join me in recognizing this important day and in thanking those who have worked for centuries to call for this important step from the Catholic Church.”