Canada's Assembly of First Nations has expressed sadness at the passing of Pope Francis, noting the pontiff "pushed the Catholic Church to confront its past and seek a path for reconciliation and change".
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said that "in an institution resistant to progressive change, Pope Francis led by example and disrupted the status quo in a good way".
"On many issues, including the many harms and crimes inflicted by Catholic clergy on First Nations children in the 'Indian residential school' system, Pope Francis pushed the Catholic Church to confront its past and seek a path for reconciliation and change," she said.
In a separate interview with the CBC from New York, where she is attending a session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, National Chief Nepinak noted the Church had a long and largely negative history with First Nations people while acknowledging the work of Pope Francis.
"We join people around in mourning this great loss. He listened to us, listened to our survivors," she said.
"He was an ally to First Nations, he wanted to right the wrongs of the past."
In March 2023, under the leadership of Pope Francis, the Vatican formally repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, the principles established by 15th century papal bulls which gave the Church's approval to the theft of land and slaughter and enslavement of colonised people around the world.
The Assembly, a nationwide advocacy organisation that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern, noted that the Pope opened a new chapter of healing when he met with a delegation of First Nations and Indigenous Peoples in 2022 to hear firsthand accounts of the harms inflicted by residential schools.
The Assembly acknowledged His Holiness then travelled to Canada to meet with Survivors and issued an apology in person "right on our own homelands".
"This marked an important step forward in the healing journey of many First Nations individuals and communities. In addition, thanks to the work started by Pope Francis, First Nations are now engaged in discussions for the repatriation of sacred First Nations cultural items held by the Vatican," the Assembly of First Nations said in an official statement.
National Chief Nepinak expressed her hope this work would continue in the positive direction set by Pope Francis.
"The commitment of Pope Francis to work with us toward true reconciliation will be his legacy and how he will be remembered," she said.
"The final Easter address of Pope Francis exemplified his lifelong commitment to bring humanity together to address inequality and oppression and to lift up the poor and most vulnerable.
"Let us remember his call to action when His Holiness said, 'I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility not to yield to the logic of fear … but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development.'"
