'Our children have had enough': Indigenous Albertans seeking truth, apology in meeting with Pope
For 85-year-old Metis Elder Angie Crerar, a face-to-face meeting with Pope Francis is about much more than her own experience in a Canadian residential school.
"It's something we've waited for, for over 150 years. It's time. Our children have had enough," she said Thursday in Edmonton.
"I can't tell you how important it is for us that we reached the Pope. Our children deserve to have peace."
Crerar is part of a delegation that will travel to the Vatican this month to meet with the Pope, seeking truth and reconciliation on residential schools.
About 25 people will be on the trip, including three Albertans.
While a prime minister and other church leaders have apologized for residential schools, the leader of the Catholic Church has not.
"Yes, they received other gifts of learning, but also recognizing that their language and culture sometimes was suppressed," said Bishop William McGrattan from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary.
"We do recognize there was an impact and a devastation on that generation, and that currently in our own education system that we make sure that our students understand that."
AN APOLOGY IS 'IN THE HANDS OF GOD': BISHOP
After the Canadian delegation returns, Pope Francis is expected to travel to Canada.
But it's not clear if he will apologize publicly or not.
"Those words that we’ve been looking for, for a long time. You know, and those words are quite simple on paper, easy to write out, but they’re hard to say," Delegate Gary Gagnon said.
Survivors across the country are demanding more than an apology. Some are pushing for a full release of church documents and monetary reparations to survivors and their families.
McGrattan acknowledged a $30 million agreement to make reparations, but he didn't explain why that hasn't all been paid yet.
He pointed out that Canadian bishops have apologized to residential school survivors.
As for the papal apology, McGrattan said, "that's in the hands of God. That's in the hands of Pope Francis."
To Crerar, atonement is only possible with a full accounting of the truth.
"We always had faith. And we never gave up, and we never ever, ever will," she said.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Touria Izri
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.