LAC STE. ANNE, Alta.—The freshly poured sidewalk unspools through the grass, past the newly assembled camera rigs and pot lights, the power tools, idling golf carts and many, many porta potties, to the lake’s edge, where people have gathered since a time when the only draw to this place was the water.
But this week, that odyssey will be reversed, as Francis embarks on a Canadian tour to reiterate that remorse, and Gagnon will be among those welcoming the Pope to his traditional territory. But the Pope will come first to Alberta, once home to the country’s largest number of residential schools — of the 134 schools that operated in Canada for roughly a century, 25 were here. It is here that Francis is expected to deliver another apology, on the site of a former school in what is now Maskwacis, just south of Edmonton.
If the visit has a signature scent, it might be the sharp note of freshly laid asphalt. Preparations for the visit have been simmering for months, and in recent weeks roads leading to the sites have been paved and at least one church’s renovations completed, while local police practise driving their patrol cars and motorcyles in formation, in anticipation of escorting the Pope’s motorcade.
“He’s on Turtle Island now, so he’s on the very ground where those children died in residential schools,” points out Gerry Shingoose, a nine-year residential school student in Winnipeg, who was planning to pile into a car with two other survivors and make the 14-hour drive from Winnipeg to Edmonton in time for the Pope’s visit.
The mental anguish has been compounded by the physical challenges of getting there. While she was able to get free tickets to an event, Shingoose hasn’t been able to access any of the funds set aside to travel to Edmonton. In the lead-up to the visit, the federal government earmarked $30.2 million for First Nation, Métis and Inuit organizations for related local events and also to help out with travel for survivors.
Tamara Pearl, a Nēhiyaw iskwew, or Plains Cree woman, from One Arrow First Nation on Treaty 6, which covers a swath of land across the Prairies, points out that in early Canada settlers and Indigenous peoples signed the first treaties based on a foundation of mutual respect, which was gradually eroded over time as the colonizers grew in both numbers and power. An apology from the Pope will also strike back at the historical belief that the church and the government knew best.
You mean Canada ….
Let's face it.....it doesn't matter who or how many 'apologize' for the crimes of those running the residential schools. I do not believe that Indigenous people will ever be satisfied. No amount of money will ever satisfy them. 20 yrs from now another 'apology' will be wanted.
...it was for gold...
It's called Canada. Not turtle island. Canada would exist if the aboriginals had their way. Stop being so pathetic
Toronto Star flailing for ratings lie after lie.
“I’m not seeking an apology,” she says. “I’m seeking the truth. The abuses that we endured while we were in residential school, I want them to acknowledge that.” … “That is a harm which has a lasting legacy.”
1/3 of Canadians are Catholic?
As a Catholic , we were taught if you commit a sin you should say your sorry, but we were never told to apologize for sins of others, so why should the current Pope be sorry for sins committed by past Catholic Leaders or PM’s. Put the blame where it belongs .
As one of the many ‘Catholics’ on the Vatican’s registry — along with my siblings and 95% of my grade-school classmates — I believe the 12,000,000 stat is a huge overestimation. I am one of millions of Canadians put on that registry at 13 years old who is no longer in the church
RC church was hardly alone in the damage to indigenous. Res schools were started by Canadian govt and supported by each govt for 140 years, including all 15 years of Pierre Trudeau. Other churches ran 40% of schools. Why is RC church being singled out?
Read and share: Honest journalism reported on Trudeau government's disinformation regarding the INDIGENOUS children's 'mass' graves~by TerryGlavin Pontifex
What about the 58 church burnings?
Could someone tell me what he is apologizing for?, I really do not know.
Does the Pope have to download and enter his data in the ArriveCAN app like everyone else?
Waiting for Zionists to do the same to the Palestinians
Trudeau gave them amnesty. This is all a sham
Do we even know who are actually in these graves? Has a thorough investigation and forensics been completed? I'll wait for clarification.
Ok church did some nasty things. Will apologize and compensate. But what about the slavery, capitalism.. they have done huge injustices/abuses/atrocities/violence...with capitalism still doing it. Who is going tom make them apologize and compensate billions of victims?
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