Right Relations - Sisters of St. Joseph

Land Acknowledgement

Out of deep respect for Indigenous Peoples who have cared for these lands since time immemorial, we acknowledge that our Congregation is situated in Tkaronto, the traditional territory of many nations including the Anishnabek, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat and is now home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

We affirm our desire for right relations with all Indigenous Peoples built on respect and reciprocity.

As an order of Catholic women religious, our charism to care for the dear neighbour led us from France, through Turtle Island, to here in Toronto, where we are relearning the history of this country and this land.

We will continue to critically examine the ways we have benefitted from systemic racism and the role the Catholic Church has played in systems of oppression in Canada.

We are committed to work to redress these harms and journeying with all.

As a Congregation, being with God, the dear neighbour and all of creation is one movement.

Conscious of this oneness, we are committed to tread lightly on the land and protect the water as sacred.

Our CSJ Toronto Land Acknowledgement, April 7, 2022

Commitments to Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) has established that:

“For over a century, the central goals of Canada’s Aboriginal policy were to eliminate Aboriginal governments; ignore Aboriginal rights; terminate the Treaties; and, through a process of assimilation, cause Aboriginal peoples to cease to exist as distinct legal, social, cultural, religious, and racial entities in Canada. The establishment and operation of residential schools were a central element of this policy, which can best be described as ‘cultural genocide.’” (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015, Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future, p. 1)

This oppressive system of removing Indigenous children from their homes and families dispossessed them of their language, their spirituality, their culture, and their connection to their community and their land. The consequences are intergenerational and include, among others, poverty, chronic illness, and institutional racism.

The Sisters of St Joseph of Toronto have deep respect for Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands since time immemorial. We acknowledge that we are visitors to this land and affirm our desire for right relations with all Indigenous Peoples built on respect and reciprocity. Our community has a responsibility to be active in the truth, justice, healing, and reconciliation process.

There can be no reconciliation without social, cultural, environmental, and economic justice for Indigenous communities. We recognize the 2015 Calls to Action and 2019 Calls to Justice and how they compel deep change on our part, personally, communally, and as a society. As a community of women religious, we make the following commitments.

Decolonize

our hearts and minds as individuals, communities, and society through educational opportunities including prayer, reflection, retreats, and training.

Commit

to anti-oppressive practices that challenge dominant narratives and uphold the voices of those who are targets for marginalization.

Amplify

the voices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people.

Work

in solidarity with impacted communities and support their efforts to determine and define their future, including

Fund

projects and organizations that promote Indigenous rights, provide mental health resources, and assist in the reclamation of language and culture.

May our prayers and actions bring us closer to oneness and right relationship with one another, the Creator, and all of creation.

Walking Together

Truth

Reserve 107: A Documentary of Truth and Reconciliation

When a group of Mennonites and Lutherans in the town of Laird discover that the land they live on is in fact the former reserve of the Young Chippewayan First Nation, they are forced to acknowledge the history that has brought them to their present confrontation.

This documentary is now available for free viewing at this site courtesy of Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan & St John’s Lutheran Church (ELCIC).

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Vatican: Promoting Integral Human Development on the “Doctrine of Discovery”

The Vatican’s statement on how the “doctrine of discovery” has never been considered an expression of Catholic faith and repudiates any concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples.

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Justice

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Establishing a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous Peoples of the world.

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The Spirit Bear Film Series

Spirit Bear is a symbol of Indigenous reconciliation, and the star of stop motion animated films and videos from the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.

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Healing

Spirit Bear Calls to Action

This is a youth-guide written in the voice of Spirit Bear, describing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. These are 94 activities that all governments, courts, businesses, schools, and people living in Canada can do to help fix the mistakes of the past.

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Walking Together: The Papal Visit

Pope Francis made a pastoral visit to Canada from July 24 – 29, 2022, to to address the impact of colonization and residential schools throughout Canada.

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Reconciliation

Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams ebook

An award-winning picture book in the Spirit Bear series, written by Cindy Blackstock (Order of Canada recipient Gitxsan Nation) and illustrated by Amanda Strong (Michif), about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

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Native Women’s Association of Canada Art Gallery

A National Indigenous Organization that defends the rights, delivers programming to, and amplifies the perspectives of Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people in Canada.

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Reserve 107 and Spirit Bear images are used to refer readers to the original works, as permitted under fair dealing for the purpose of review and critique as specified in Section 29 of the Copyright Act of Canada. No endorsement by the copyright holders is implied, all rights to the images are owned by the copyright holders.