Residential school apology wanted from Pope Francis during Canada visit
Having the head of the Catholic Church, which played a fundamental role in Canada’s residential schools, on Canadian soil during any reconciliatory effort is a vital part of the work, says the executive director of an Indigenous cultural society.
Cheryl Whiskeyjack, of Edmonton’s Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, said she was happy to hear Tuesday Pope Francis was willing to visit Canada in the spirit of reconciliation.
“It was his church that perpetuated those horrors,” she told CTV News Edmonton, adding, “We still have people in this country today who deny that those things happened.”
She pointed to Canada’s former Indian affairs minister and prime minister Jean Chrétien claiming not to know any abuse was taking place in the residential school system.
“If the head of the church doesn’t admit and apologize, then people will continue to do these things.”
An itinerary or date for Pope Francis’ tour has not been released.
It’s expected to happen after a December meeting at the Vatican with First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders.
A papal apology was one of 94 recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015, and calls for one have only grown in the past year with the confirmation of unmarked graves at sites of former residential schools.
“I’d like to think he knows that that is what is going to be asked of him and I think the fact that he’s been willing to come to Canada to have those discussions speaks to his willingness to give that apology to Indigneous people in Canada,” Whiskeyjack speculated of the Pope’s plans.
“Having him on Canadian soil to give an apology would be absolutely ideal for our Indigneous people here in Canada.”
The Vatican said in a statement that the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops invited Francis to travel to Canada in the "context of the long-standing pastoral process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples."
The statement said the Pope indicated his "willingness" to do so at an undetermined date.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said in a statement that there's been meaningful discussions with Indigenous people, especially those affected by residential schools.
"We pray that Pope Francis' visit to Canada will be a significant milestone in the journey toward reconciliation and healing," said the group's president, Most Rev. Raymond Poisson.
Whiskeyjack sees the developments as a step forward on the path toward reconciliation.
“Canada is waking up to this truth and is really alongside us for the first time, demanding some answers in this and demanding some reparations on these matters. And so it really is time for us to move forward and I think an act like this will help us go forward from there.”
If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
With files from CTVNews.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.