MASKS –
Pope Francis is expected to speak publicly for the first time on his visit to Canada at a meeting Monday morning with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in a community south of Edmonton.
The day’s events are scheduled to begin with a trip to Muskwatzis, Alta., where the pope was to see the former site of the Ermineskin Indian Residential School, which was one of the largest institutions in the country.
It is expected to be where the Pope will apologize to residential school survivors and their families for the role the Roman Catholic Church plays in the system.
Francis is due to arrive in Maskwatzis at the Church of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, where he is to be greeted by the pastor of the community, local priest Gary Laboucan, as well as a small group of elders and local parishioners.
He will then visit the Ermineskin Cree Nation Cemetery for a moment of silence, prayer and reflection. The organizers claim that among the graves there are probably remains of students from the home.
The Pope will then go to the site of the former boarding house. Five teepees were placed on the site – four representing the nations of the earth and the fifth as a symbol of the entrance to the former school.
Francis is then scheduled to head to an area known as Bear Park or Maskwa Park, which is often used for powwows. Thousands of survivors, elders and their families are expected to attend.
There is a traditional ceremonial entry of chiefs before the Pope is greeted by Chief Wilton Littlechild, who attended the school for 14 years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon are expected to attend, along with other political and local leaders.
Francis is expected to speak in Spanish, his first language, which will be translated into English by a priest.
Organizers say sacred fires will be lit in communities across the country in solidarity.
An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children have been forced to attend schools in Canada, where neglect and physical and sexual abuse are widespread. More than 60 percent of schools are run by the Catholic Church.
Francis is scheduled to speak later Monday to Indigenous people and parishioners at Edmonton’s Sacred Heart Church.
Later in the week, the pope plans to host a large outdoor Mass at the city’s soccer stadium and participate in a pilgrimage at nearby Lac Ste. Anne before traveling to Quebec City and Iqaluit.
Francis arrived on Sunday for the six-day trip aimed at reconciliation with the indigenous population.
A small crowd of dignitaries at the Edmonton airport included Trudeau, Simon and local leaders. The pope made brief private remarks with organizers, saying he reserved public statements for Monday’s events.
Treaty 6 Grand Chief George Arcand Jr. said many people in the local community were skeptical and hurt, but the apology could be the start of a new journey.
“Many people have always thought that an apology is nothing but empty words. But when the Pope announced that he would come to Alberta and speak to our people, people started to feel like there was a sense of hope,” he said.
Arcand Jr. said the apology doesn’t erase the past, but sets a path for communities to recover and work with the church if necessary.
Indigenous leaders said they were concerned the visit would reopen old wounds. Arcand Jr. called for more mental health support to be introduced.
“I hope that when we hear an apology, we will have the tools and support we need to help bring people back together.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 25, 2022.
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If you are a former survivor of a school disaster or have been affected by the school system and need help, you can contact Indian Schools’ 24-hour crisis line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
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