Indigenous Affairs Minister Patty Hajdu discussed the efforts Canada is making to decolonize Canada..Her comments came during a March 25 Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs..“Each of these days serve as a stark reminder of the impacts of colonization, stark inequities, and trauma, that continue to have such a significant impact on First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities across the country,” Hajdu said, in the light of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, World Water Day, and World Tuberculosis Day..“The work of decolonization and self-determination needs our steady and unwavering commitment, clear focus of equity funding, and opportunity, and a shared vision of a healthy future for everyone in the country,” said Hajdu in a video from the committee session..Decolonization refers to the cultural, psychological, and economic liberation of Canada’s indigenous population..Colonialism in Canada can be best understood as indigenous peoples’ forced disassociation from the land, their culture and community, by another party..“The prime minister has been very clear that working toward reconciliation requires the commitment of all cabinet ministers, so together with my colleagues, First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, and the public service, we are working to change our processes to better support indigenous self-determination, and the well-being and economic prosperity of all indigenous peoples in Canada,” Hajdu said..An indigenous delegation recently travelled to Rome for an audience with the Pope in an effort to promote healing and reconciliation with regards to the Catholic Church’s religious colonialism in Canada..On Friday, the Pope hosted more than 190 indigenous survivors, elders, leaders, and youth from Canada in a livestream event that followed a week of meetings and discussions on residential schools in Canada..“For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask forgiveness of the Lord,” Francis said. “And I want to tell you from my heart, that I am greatly pained. And I unite myself with the Canadian bishops in apologizing.”.The issue became a mainstream concern in 2021 after the re-discovery of what are reported to be burial sites near former residential schools..Amanda Brown is a reporter with the Western Standard.abrown@westernstandardonline.com.,.Twitter: @WS_JournoAmanda
