Discussion · Government Orders
Dane Lloyd Conservative
“The government's policy says ceremonies must be religiously neutral. This means Indigenous people cannot share their spiritual beliefs or even mention the Creator. The government is holding back Indigenous spirituality instead of working toward reconciliation.”
“Mr. Speaker, on the issue of chaplaincy and the ability to pray at ceremonies, I note that under the government’s policy, it has a specific section regarding indigenous cultural practices. This policy says that an indigenous person is not allowed to share their spiritual practices. In fact, that has to be religiously neutral. There could be a situation where an indigenous person mentions the word “Creator”, and under the Liberal government’s policy, they would not be permitted to share their indigenous spirituality. How is it reconciliation when the government is actively suppressing indigenous spirituality?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, on the issue of chaplaincy and the ability to pray at ceremonies, I note that under the government’s policy, it has a specific section regarding indigenous cultural practices. This policy says that an indigenous person is not allowed to share their spiritual practices. In fact, that has to be religiously neutral. There could be a situation where an indigenous person mentions the word “Creator”, and under the Liberal government’s policy, they would not be permitted to share their indigenous spirituality. How is it reconciliation when the government is actively suppressing indigenous spirituality?