Want healing for residential school survivors? 'Rip up' the Doctrine of Discovery: activist
If there's one thing the Pope can do to bring healing to Indigenous people, it's rescinding the Doctrine of Discovery.
That's according to residential school survivor Paul Dixon, 65, who was among many activists in Quebec City this week imploring the Pope to denounce the 600-year-old doctrine, historically used to justify Europe's colonization of Indigenous lands.
"I would quickly heal today, in the next minute [after] he rescinded," Dixon told CTV News at the Plains of Abraham Thursday.
That same message -- "Rescind the Doctrine" -- was present at the Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre basilica on Thursday, spelled out in bold, red letters.
Two demonstrators held the banner at the front of the church shortly before the Pope's mass began.
Residential school survivors like Dixon say the doctrine, stemming from a series of edicts called "papal bulls," is at the heart of injustices faced by Indigenous peoples.
One of these bulls, for example, ordered the spreading of Christianity across foreign lands.
"You should appoint to the aforesaid mainlands and islands worthy, God-fearing, learned, skilled, and experienced men, in order to instruct the aforesaid inhabitants and residents in the Catholic faith and train them in good morals," reads an excerpt from the 1493 bull issued by Pope Alexander VI.
Protesters hold up a banner during a mass with Pope Francis, center top, at the National Shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupre, Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Saint Anne de Beaupre, Quebec. (AP Photo/John Locher)
It's a philosophy that, centuries later, would justify the development of the residential schooling system -- a system Dixon was a victim of for 10 years.
"I'm still on the healing journey. That happened to me when I was just six years old. And you know, your childhood days and your teenager years, you can never get back."
Residential school survivor Paul Dixon, 65, holds up a sign demanding the Doctrine of Discovery, used historically to justify colonialism, be rescinded. (CTV News)
He said this trauma is something the Pope's apology can never undo.
"The Pope's apology, and at the Prime Minister's apology was never enough."
The Doctrine of Discovery has yet to be formally denounced by the head of the Catholic church, but organizers of the papal visit said Canada's bishops are working with the Vatican in hope of issuing a statement on the matter.
Dixon and others say true reconciliation requires it -- but he's not getting his hopes up.
"[It] ain't gonna happen, and the Queen ain't gonna come and kiss my moccasins."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.