Honouring the Truth Reconciling for the Future

286 • Truth & Reconciliation Commissionby the church with regard to Indigenous spirituality, including an expression of reconciliationat the trc’s Alberta National Event on March 27, 2014. Among other things,the church said:In humility, the Church acknowledges its complicity in the degradation ofAboriginal wisdom and spirituality, and offers the following statements fromits recent history. In doing so, the Church recognizes with pain that this is acomplex and sensitive issue for some within Aboriginal communities of faith,who as a result of our Christianizing work, and the legacy of colonialism, are on ajourney to restore harmony and spiritual balance.…We have learned that ‘good intentions’ are never enough, especially whenwrapped in the misguided zeal of cultural and spiritual superiority. Thus, wehave learned that we were wrong to reject, discredit, and yes, even outlawtraditional indigenous spiritual practice and ceremony; in amazing circles ofgrace, as we have begun to listen to the wisdom of the Elders, we have foundour own faith enriched and deepened. And we are grateful. We know we havea long journey ahead of us. We are committed to make that journey in humilityand partnership, engaging in the healing work of making “whole” our ownspirituality, and acknowledging that holding both your spirituality and ours ispossible through listening and learning with open hearts. 92Unlike the Protestant churches, in which theological reflection and institutionalreform have been undertaken at the national level, the Roman Catholic Church inCanada’s approach to Indigenous spirituality has emphasized decision making at thelocal diocesan level. However, in a submission to the Royal Commission on AboriginalPeoples in 1993, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed its views onIndigenous spirituality:The Native spiritual voice is now finding greater resonance in the broaderChristian and social worlds. Native Christianity today is marked by thedevelopment of a theology that comes from Native prayer, culture, andexperience.... As bishops, we have encouraged Native Catholic leaders to takeincreasing responsibility for the faith life of their communities....We also recognize that for some Native Peoples, Christianity and Nativespirituality are mutually exclusive. We are committed to responding to this beliefin a spirit of dialogue and respect, and to encouraging Native Peoples to join inconversation between Christianity and Native spirituality.... We will continue toexplore the possibility of establishing channels of communication between ourown spiritual heritage and Aboriginal spiritualities. 93In terms of institutional reform, the Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council, establishedin 1998, advises the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on issuesregarding Aboriginal peoples within the Catholic Church. The council’s mandate is to