Indigenous groups welcome Pope Francis’ planned visit to Canada this summer, following his apology last month for the Catholic Church’s role in residential schools.
The Vatican said Friday that the pontiff was to stop in Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut, and that the capitals of Edmonton, Quebec and Iqaluit were to serve as bases for the July 24-30 trip.
The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations is working with the Holy See to plan the visit to this area, Grand Chief George Arcand said in a statement.
Edmonton is part of Treaty 6 territory, which covers central Alberta and Saskatchewan.
“I recognize the impact the Pope’s visit will have on Treaty 6, for the survivors, their families and their communities,” Arcand said. “My prayers are with the survivors — I hope we are on the road to healing and that the truths of the survivors will be validated by this historic visit to our territories. »
An estimated 150,000 Aboriginal children were forced to attend residential schools, and more than 60% of schools were run by the Catholic Church.
On April 1, after several days of meetings with First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups at the Vatican, Pope Francis apologized for the deplorable conduct of Church members involved in residential schools. He also said he would visit Canada.
“I want to tell you with all my heart: I am truly sorry,” Pope Francis said in Italian to a room of nearly 200 indigenous delegates. “And I join my brothers, the Canadian bishops, in asking your forgiveness. »
Indigenous delegates had told the pope that they expected an apology to be delivered on Canadian soil. They later said they thought a fuller apology would come when he visited.
The Métis National Council welcomed the announcement and reiterated the need for a papal apology, as well as a commitment to action in the areas of truth, reconciliation, justice and healing.
President Cassidy Caron said council was not consulted on the location choices.
« We hope the Vatican will work closely with us in a spirit of reconciliation to ensure that there are adequate resources for any survivors who wish to attend, » Caron said in a statement.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said the Vatican selected the three cities based on the length of the trip, the vast area of Canada and the health of the 85-year-old pontiff.
Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, general travel coordinator for the conference, said the pope is restricted in his travels. He can no longer ride in helicopters and he cannot be in a vehicle for more than an hour. He must also rest between events.
Despite its limitations, Pope Francis is expected to visit the site of a former boarding school.
The cities chosen are dispersed and give Indigenous people across the country more opportunities to see the pope, Smith noted.
The Archbishop added that a formal program should be developed with indigenous partners and that the trip would be another important step for healing and reconciliation.
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller said it was important for Pope Francis to hear directly from survivors.
« You can’t make policy — especially on these very, very painful issues that you’re responsible for — in a vacuum, in a cabinet room or at (St. Peter’s) Basilica, » he said. Hearing directly from survivors not only provides an opportunity to apologize and be held accountable, but also to develop best practices for how to move forward. »
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that the upcoming visit would not be possible without « the courage and determination of survivors, Indigenous leaders and youth who told their stories » last month.
Many indigenous leaders had asked Pope Francis to visit Kamloops, British Columbia, where the discovery of unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school sparked calls around the world for justice and transparency.
The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program has a telephone helpline to help survivors of residential schools and their loved ones suffering from trauma brought on by the memory of past abuse. The number is 1-866-925-4419.
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