Pope asked to renounce Doctrine of Discovery – what is it?
Amid Pope Francis' "penitential" journey in Canada, Indigenous people are witnessing what the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has called "a significant gesture and a historic step to fulfilling reconciliation."
Aside from admitting the Catholic Church’s responsibility in the designation of residential school systems in Canada, much of the Pope’s penitanceis related to a Catholic edict that was first issued more than 600 years ago, and went on to become deeply rooted in Canadian legislation and effectively justified the nation’s colonial history.
It’s called, “The Doctrine of Discovery.”
According to a 2018 report by the AFN, titled "Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery," the church maxim "emanates from a series of Papal Bulls (formal statements from the Pope) and extensions, originating in the 1400s. [It] was used as legal and moral justification for colonial dispossession of sovereign Indigenous Nations, including First Nations in what is now Canada."
Kate Gunn, a lawyer at First People Law -- a Vancouver-based law firm dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of Indigenous people across Canada -- told CTVNews.ca the doctrine was historically used to justify the assertion of sovereignty and ownership of land by European colonial powers over Indigenous people in North and South America.
"The roots of [the doctrine] are deep," she told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview Thursday. “Because it was such a fundamental part of how and why Europeans were able to internally justify their ability to take ownership and control over [North American] land, it’s the root of what Canada is as a country.”
Gunn added that, "so many of the issues that we see with Indigenous people today are a result of [the doctrine]."
According to Indigenous Corporate Training Incorporated (CTI), a training organization that guides professional relationships between businesses and Indigenous people in North America, there is one major reason the Doctrine of Discovery continues to impact First Nations communities: it has neverbeen officially renounced by the head of the Catholic Church.
"[The doctrine] remains the basis for Canadian law and as such continues to impact Indigenous Peoples," CTI wrote on their website, referring to the trauma of residential schools and the criminalization of Indigenous customs during the Indian Act.
The Center for Environmental Legal Studies says the Doctrine "legitimizes the continuing suppression of indigenous communities and culture" and "makes the co-stewardship of nature and natural resources by indigenous peoples impossible during a time when development is diminishing biodiversity and contributing to climate change."
Last year, the Canadian government overtly rejected the doctrine, passing Bill C-15, which aims to harmonize Canada's laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The government called the doctrine: “racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust.”
Pope Francis issued an apology for the traumas of residential schools on Tuesday in Edmonton, but Indigenous groups and advocates including the AFN and CTI are still calling for him to repudiate the doctrine.
"We are optimistic that the Holy Father will take the next step and apologize to all Indigenous peoples," AFN wrote on their website.
Gunn thinks Pope Francis could use his visit to Canada for an important first step -- acknowledgement.
"It is really important for the Pope to acknowledge the role of the Doctrine of Discovery in colonialization and in the harm that has been done by the Catholic Church," Gunn said.
"That acknowledgment will be an important step towards moving towards true reconciliation. Not just for the history of Canada but for the issues that Indigenous peoples face today."
___
If you are a former residential school survivor in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Amber Alert issued for two-year-old allegedly abducted in Regina
An Amber Alert was issued for two-year-old Holdan Keewatin Sunday afternoon, after the Regina Police Service asked for public assistance in the search for the child.

Help on the way for central Newfoundland fire Premier says is largest since 1961
The rapid growth of a long-burning forest fire in central Newfoundland has triggered a state of emergency in the area and the expansion of an outdoor fire ban to the entire province.
Air Canada denying passenger compensation claims for staff shortages, citing safety
Air Canada denied a customer complaint and instructed employees to classify flight cancellations caused by staff shortages as a "safety" problem, which would exclude travellers from compensation under federal regulations. That policy remains in place.
Multiple people in hospital, suspect shot after machete attack on Vancouver's Granville Street
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.
Montreal Pride parade cancelled hours before event due to lack of volunteers
Montreal's Pride Parade has been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers able to guarantee a secure event.
BREAKING | Ceasefire between Palestinians, Israel takes effect in Gaza
A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants took effect late Sunday in a bid to end nearly three days of violence that killed dozens of Palestinians and disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of Israelis.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy rules out talks if Russia holds referendums
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that if Russia proceeded with referendums in occupied areas of his country on joining Russia, there could be no talks with Ukraine or its international allies.
'Amanda got justice': Dutch man accused in B.C. teen sextortion case found guilty on all charges
A Dutch man accused of tormenting British Columbia teen Amanda Todd via online threats has been found guilty of all charges he faced in connection with the case, a jury ruled on Saturday.
Weather could challenge containment of wildfire in B.C.'s south Okanagan
A B.C. wildfire that has forced hundreds from their homes didn't increase in size overnight, but the hot weather Sunday means "containment lines could be challenged," according to the wildfire service.
W5 HIGHLIGHTS
Nearly two decades after working at a pulp mill, workers complain their health was compromised
In 2002, the owners of the mill in Dryden, Ont. started a project to reduce emissions, but workers on the construction project complain that they were exposed to toxic chemicals that damaged their health. CTV's W5 spoke with some of the workers about what they went through.

Sexual abuse in the military: Soldiers speak of systemic problems in a 'toxic culture'
W5 investigates sexual misconduct in the military, and interviews Canadian soldiers who claim they were sexually abused while serving their country.

W5 INVESTIGATES | Parents who kill their own children often exhibit warning signs: experts
Experts say dangerous warning signs are missed in parents who could harm or kill their child. Up to 40 kids are killed this way each year in Canada. CTV W5 looks into why this is happening, and if there are ways to prevent it.

What is a Russian oligarch?
In its latest episode 'Putin's pals', W5 takes an in-depth look into who Russia's oligarchs are, and whether sanctioning them would stop President Vladimir Putin’s invasion in Ukraine.
Private investigator hunts for clues in missing patient cases at North Bay Psychiatric Hospital
Dawn Carisse went missing from the North Bay Psychiatric Hospital more than 2 decades ago. She vanished without a trace. Now a private investigator turned podcaster is finding new clues for her family.
Ketamine and psilocybin, better known as party drugs, showing promise for treatment of mood disorders
W5 investigates an unconventional treatment for severe depression and PTSD that involves the drug ketamine.
Hockey player breaks silence about alleged sexual assault at Boston College
Professional hockey player Tori Sullivan speaks out publicly for the first time to TSN and W5's Rick Westhead, about the trauma of an alleged campus sexual assault and her dismissal from Boston College's hockey team.
Three-year-old Dylan Ehler disappeared in seconds. His family wants changes to the missing child alert system
W5 digs into the disappearance in Truro, N.S. in May of 2020, raising critical questions about the police and search and rescue mission.