(Ottawa, ON) – April 4, 2023 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation welcomes the long overdue Vatican’s formal repudiation of the “Doctrine of Discovery” and the 15th-century papal bulls that legitimized colonialism and the theft of Indigenous lands. The Vatican’s acknowledgement of the terrible effects of colonialism signals an understanding of legal wrongdoing and, therefore, is a significant step towards truth, healing and Reconciliation.

For decades, Indigenous Peoples have demanded that the Catholic church formally rescind the papal bulls that provided religious backing to expand territories in Africa and the Americas for the sake of spreading Christianity. The Doctrine of Discovery, established by these papal bulls, has been used as a legal concept to justify the theft and “sovereignty” over lands colonized by Europeans because they “discovered” it. The doctrine has resulted in the displacement, forced assimilation, and genocide of Indigenous Peoples since the inception of colonization.

The LHF is heartened to see the Vatican respond to these demands and acknowledge the errors of the past. The Vatican’s Statement that the papal bulls were manipulated for political purposes and they did not reflect the equal dignity and rights of Indigenous Peoples is a significant and necessary step towards righting past wrongs.The Vatican’s repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery is directly aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #49 which calls on religious institutions to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and work towards the reconciliation of Indigenous peoples.

We call upon all religious denominations and faith groups who have not already done so to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #49

We commend Pope Francis for his efforts towards Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. During his 2022 visit to Canada, he apologized for the Residential School System that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their homes and described Canada’s Residential School System and its forced assimilation of Indigenous children as genocide. The apology and acknowledgment of historical wrongs coupled with the formal repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery during his tenure highlight a desire and a path forward for responsibility, action and Reconciliation.

As a Foundation dedicated to raising awareness and understanding about the impacts of Residential Schools and advancing Reconciliation, we support the Vatican’s efforts and urge all governments, institutions, and individuals to acknowledge and address the harm caused by colonization and the Doctrine of Discovery. Only through recognition, acknowledgement, and action can we begin to address the harms of the past and move forward towards creating a better tomorrow for future generations.

“As an organization committed to advancing Reconciliation, we are encouraged to see Pope Francis’ formal repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery and the papal bulls that legitimized nearly all aspects of colonialism, from land theft to assimilation and indoctrination. This is an important moment in history that could have wide-ranging positive effects for all Indigenous Peoples. Recognizing these legal fallacies and the church responsibility for the resulting injustices is necessary for healing and creating respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples,” said Teresa Edwards, LHF Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 22 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and impacts on 7 generations of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) children, their families, and communities from attending Residential and Day Schools and the subsequent Sixties Scoop. By fostering empathy and understanding, the LHF encourages people to address discrimination and injustice and contributes to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of all.

The LHF has more than 25 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history that are free to borrow, and the LHF is working on making exhibitions available online. The LHF also has curricula for grades K-12 along with Activity Guides for all ages, Workshops and Training, and Podcasts all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and more.

“The repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery marks a significant turning point in our shared histories as Indigenous Peoples. The repudiation is a critical recognition of the injustices committed against Indigenous Peoples and communities in the name of colonialism and represents a huge step forward in the process of Reconciliation,” said Adam North Peigan, President of the LHF Board of Directors.