August 13, 2025Open Access

Redress and Reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples in the Form of Apologies: An Inadequate and Abysmal Procedure that Supports Settler Colonialism

Key Points

Apologies issued by institutions like the Canadian government are considered insincere and inadequate for genuine reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
Key evidence indicates that these apologies perpetuate settler colonial ideals, further marginalizing indigenous communities in Canada.
The approach involves analyzing frameworks from scholars and examples of apologies by leaders like Stephen Harper and Pope Francis.
The significance of these findings underscores the urgent need for genuine policy inclusion of indigenous peoples in reconciliation efforts.

Abstract

To reach redress and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, establishments such as the Catholic Church as well as the Canadian Government decided to issue “apologies;” however, these attempts are unauthentic as they support settler colonial ideals, and further promote the marginalization of Indigenous Peoples. This paper critiques current attempts of redress and reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples by contending these “apologies” are insincere. Drawing on various frameworks provided by scholars such as Borrows, Palmater, Corntassel and Holder, as well as Tavuchis and James, this paper analyzes apologetic attempts made by the Catholic Church, former Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper (2008), and Pope Francis (2022) to argue that “apologies” are not only inadequate forms of reconciliation, but also insinuate absolute disregard and disrespect towards all Indigenous Peoples. Most importantly, this paper claims that the Canadian Federal Government must implement strategies of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples by including them in policy-making decisions.

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