Vancouver Archbishop Commits to Indigenous Reconciliation

A Vancouver archbishop is weaving together Indigenous wisdom and faith to build bridges between cultures.

Archbishop Richard Smith visited St. Paul's Indian Church in North Vancouver, where he personally requested a meeting with Squamish Nation elders. The conversation lasted nearly two hours, filled with stories and shared experiences that left a deep impression on the church leader.

"The non-Indigenous, our country broadly, has so much to learn from Indigenous ways, from the traditions, from the culture, from the learnings," Smith told parishioners during his pastoral visit.

The archbishop drew powerful connections between Indigenous teachings and Christian faith. When Squamish elders gifted him a ceremonial paddle last year, they explained it was a lifeline for navigating waters safely in a canoe.

Smith carried that metaphor into his message about unity. During his visit, he admired Indigenous baskets woven from cedar root and cherry bark, seeing in them a symbol of how people can be brought together.

"We are like a basket woven together by Jesus himself," he said. "He does the intricate interweaving that brings humanity together."

Why This Inspires

Smith's approach shows how reconciliation can honor both Indigenous traditions and personal faith without diminishing either. His willingness to listen for two hours, to learn from elders, and to incorporate their wisdom into his spiritual message demonstrates genuine respect.

The archbishop acknowledged that many people today face loneliness and division, from warring nations to fractured families. His vision of unity offers a practical path forward through mutual learning and cultural exchange.

"I want you to know that I am committed, and the Archdiocese is committed to that ever-closer interweaving among ourselves," Smith told the congregation at St. Paul's.

His hope extends beyond the church walls. He envisions reconciliation between the Church and Indigenous peoples becoming "a beacon for others that says unity and reconciliation is possible."

Smith closed with a prayer that the community would be interwoven so deeply that hope becomes real and tangible, something people can touch through genuine connection with one another.