Missionaries used Aboriginal symbol to convert Natives

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There's a national tragedy simmering beneath the headlines about the Roman Catholic Church's apology to Canada's Native peoples.

Everyone, of course, knows about the flagrant abuses Aboriginal people suffered at the hands of residential school clergy. And while apologies are necessary and overdue, the reasons for that abysmal treatment have never been explored. Therein lies the tragedy.

Time and time again, when speaking to various groups I'm asked the big question: Why, if Aboriginal peoples had, as they claim, such a strong and vital spiritual centre to their lives, would they abruptly abandon it for the ministration of the black robes?

A valid question and the answer should be included in any history of the settlement of North America.

When the good fathers stepped ashore they came bearing their Book of Truth. With it they carried ashore the accompanying doctrines, philosophies and practices of their denomination. With typical missionary zeal they attempted to make converts of the seemingly simple folk already living here.

Surprisingly, converts were easy to win. Historians have often attributed this phenomenal spiritual migration to the kindness and gentleness of the priesthood. They have also, with encouragement from the church, attempted to reinforce the belief Aboriginal people sensed the superiority of white man's religion over their own "primitive" beliefs.

Such was not the case.

For generation prior to the arrival of the white man there were many symbols in Aboriginal iconography that were both intertribal in acceptance and ancient in their application. The circle, of course, is one that has been popularized, but there were more. The critical one consisted of two bold intersecting slashes: a horizontal stroke sliced through a vertical one.

European religion called such a symbol a cross of crucifix. In the much older North American context, the symbol was an honor bestowed upon the medicine shields et cetera of those who were perceived to be leading very spiritual lives.

The broad vertical slash indicated a person's relationship with the Creator. It denoted a prayerful, meditative, introspective and humble individual who placed the direction of his/her life in the hands of the Creator of all things. In other words, that person's kind, honest, giving, forgiving and tolerant relationship with all creatures on this plane of reality. As a result of the strong primary connection with the Creator, such a person was capable of continuing spiritual relationships with all of creation.

Such a symbol was very rarely bestowed and was held in the utmost regard. When the black robes arrived they won the trust of Native peoples almost immediately because they wore these strong spiritual symbols around their necks.

These people, they must have through, have to be very, very spiritual beings and it was the resultant awe that enabled the missionaries to win the trust of the people.

This is the foundation of a very shameful part of Canadian history. With the blanket trust and quiet reverence bestowed upon them by the Indians, the churches, with the subtle urging of the government, began the process of cultural assimilation. The painful and tragic repercussions are only just surfacing.

The Old One shared this secret with me a few years ago at a time when I too wondered why the Indians would abandon the spiritual ways that had sustained them for generation after generation. It's not widely known mainly because of the spiritual leaders' understandable paranoia to give away such a vital part of themselves. Given the course of history, its protection is more than understandable.

So, as the churches begin apologizing for their past behavior towards Native people, perhaps they should begin with apologies for those first flagrant breaches of trust.

Apologies are empty without vigorous action. The denominations would do well to prod government that set up the residential schools and then assigned the churches to carry out their genocial function.

Indians have always known there is no shame in mistakes. The shame lies in not accepting responsibility.

EAGLE FEATHERS: to the Roman Catholic Church for its symbolic, and much needed gesture.