On Monday, September 30, Canada will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day was established in 2021 to honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
One step on the Catholic church’s path of healing and reconciliation is the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF). The IRF was created to accept donations from 73 Catholic Dioceses across the country to advance healing and reconciliation initiatives. Since its beginnings in 2021, over $15 million has been raised, and more than 80 projects have been funded across the country.
The Diocese of Victoria contributed $1.25 million to the IRF, which was raised by the sale of a property that was being held for the construction of a Bishop’s residence. Since the Fall of 2022, the local Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Committee has been working to identify the priority, meaningful reconciliation work in our Diocese to be funded by the IRF.
The Victoria Native Friendship Centre used IRF funding to host Tipi Teachings at National Indigenous People's Day in June 2023 and the South Island Powwow in September 2023
So far, twelve local Indigenous-led projects and initiatives have received grants to support healing and reconciliation for communities and families, culture and language revitalization, education and community building, and dialogues involving Indigenous elders, spiritual leaders and youth, with a focus on Indigenous spirituality and culture. Descriptions of the projects that have been funded to date are on the local IRF website at https://www.rcdvictoria.org/irf.
Applications will soon open for the next round of funding, with the first application deadline on November 15, 2024. The local IRF Committee is eager to encourage projects from Indigenous groups anywhere on Vancouver Island and the surrounding Islands that foster good medicine for people harmed by the legacy of residential schools. The 2024/2025 Application Package will be available online at https://www.rcdvictoria.org/irf.
Ticmup Society is completing construction on its cultural centre in Port Alberni with the help of an IRF grant.
As we take time this September 30 to reflect and pray, Bishop Gary Gordon encourages the people of the Diocese of Victoria to remember that personal relationships are truly the path forward to healing and reconciliation. Walking this path means walking in relationship, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, to intercede for us:
That we who live in this land,
Indigenous and non-Indigenous together,
may experience healing and reconciliation,
on a renewed journey for justice and peace for our children.
Mother of the Church, pray for us.
- A Prayer for Healing and Reconciliation, from Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle
