A series of documentaries on the meetings of Canada's indigenous people with the Pope

Vatican News

Salt + Light Media has completed a documentary on the historic meetings that took place in the Vatican in March and April 2022 between Pope Francis and delegations of Canada's indigenous peoples. The hour-long documentary comes just days before the Pope leaves to travel to Canada on what he described as a "penitential pilgrimage."  

The documentary

The documentary offers background on the experiences of representatives of the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, who met with Pope Francis about abuses against indigenous peoples, especially within the Canadian residential school system. The documentary "will help Canadians appreciate the broader story of the journey towards meaningful reconciliation," says Fr. Alan Fogarty, SJ, executive producer of Salt + Light Media. "Every Canadian and person of faith is called to participate in this journey," he adds, "today and in the future. We know that by documenting and sharing these testimonies, especially in the run-up to the Pope's apostolic journey to Canada, we can play a vital role in the healing process."

The production

Produced, directed, and narrated by Pedro Guevara-Mann, the film features interviews with Wilton Littlechild, former Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations and Member of Parliament; Natan Obed, President of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Cassidy Caron, President of the Métis National Council; and other indigenous delegates, as well as bishops from Catholic dioceses in Canada. It also contains footage of the meetings that took place at the Vatican last spring and of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process that preceded the meeting. "Reconciliation is not like ticking in a box," says Pedro Guevara-Mann. But rather, "it is an ongoing journey of relationships that requires hard work. I am honoured to be part of this journey."

A series of three

The film is the first in a series of three documentaries that Salt + Light Media has committed to producing on residential schools, indigenous peoples and faith, and the truth and reconciliation process. The second is in the production phase and should be completed by late autumn 2022. The documentary is also available for free on Salt + Light Plus, the channel's subscription-based streaming service, and online at slmedia.org/slplus. A French subtitled version is being finalized and will be released shortly.