School survivors, politicians, Inuit throat singers and drummers will be among the crowds welcoming Pope Francis as he wraps up his Canadian trip with a brief visit to Nunavut’s capital on Friday afternoon.
The Pope’s plane arrived in Iqaluit around 4:00 PM ET and the Pope was greeted by local dignitaries, including Nunavut Premier PJ Akeeagok and Commissioner Eva Aariak.
It marks the first-ever papal visit to Canada’s newest territory and, for some, a potential turning point in the centuries-long relationship between the Catholic Church and Canada’s Inuit.
“Once the Pope apologizes, we have to find a way to move away from this. To start moving forward,” said Mary Ayaak Anoutalik, an 84-year-old elder from Arviat, Nunavut, speaking in Inuktitut, before the papal visit. Anowtalik will be part of a throat singing performance before the Pope in Iqaluit.
Eighty-four-year-old Mary Ajaak Anowtalik, right, with her throat singing partner Lois Suluk. The two will sing for the Pope on Friday afternoon. (Keith Kyle/CBC)
Anovtalik sees the visit as an opportunity for the pope to “take a different path.”
“In the old days, if there was someone who needed guidance, they would be brought to the elders, for life skills, guidance,” she said through a translator.
Anowtalik’s comments hint at a dynamic shift that has occurred in recent years amid conversations about colonialism, reconciliation and the legacy of residential schools. While the church and its leaders once portrayed themselves as spiritual guides for indigenous people, they are now seen by some in Nunavut as those in need of guidance.
Pope Francis arrives in Iqaluit on July 29, 2022 for the final leg of the papal visit to Canada. The quick, hours-long stop before departing for Rome marks the first time the pontiff has traveled to Nunavut. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
“I just want to hear him say that the church is open without prejudice to everyone,” said Aksaktunguak Ashuna, who will be among a group of Inuit greeting the pope when he lands in Iqaluit.
“That’s all I want to hear him say. For example, to apologize and reopen the gates of the church.”
There is a small Catholic parish in Iqaluit and the town is one of 16 communities in the Canadian Arctic with a Catholic population. Some communities have permanent missions with a priest or sister, others are visited by visiting priests or sisters.
Speaking to Vatican News recently, Iqaluit’s Catholic Bishop Anthony Wislaw Krotky acknowledged that Iqaluit does not have a large local Catholic population and that more Inuit in the city are Anglicans. Iqaluit was chosen for the papal visit simply because of logistics, he suggested.
But the historical heritage of the church is outlined in many parts of the territory.
A crucifix hangs on the outside of a Roman Catholic church in Koogaaruk, Nunavut, in 2020. (John Last/CBC)
The first permanent Catholic mission in the eastern Canadian Arctic was established on the west shore of Hudson Bay, at Chesterfield Bay in 1912 by Arsene Turquetil.
Decades later, the student residence named after him in Chesterfield Inlet – Turketil Hall – would become notorious as a site for physical and sexual abuse of young Inuit. Between 1955 and 1969, hundreds of children were sent there, away from their homes and families. Many other Inuit children were sent to the equally infamous Grollier Hall, in Inuvik, NWT
Some residential school survivors will be in Iqaluit on Friday, including former Nunavut Commissioner Piita Irnik, who will be part of the official delegation greeting Pope Francis. According to the draft plan of the papal visit, Irnik will have about five minutes to testify before the pope.
The pope will spend about two and a half hours in Iqaluit, arriving shortly before 4:00 PM ET and leaving around 6:20 PM ET.
Where to watch the Pope’s visit to Iqaluit
Pope Francis arrives in Iqaluit.
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: CBC News Network
Meeting with Iqaluit School Survivors.
- Time: 4:00 PM ET
- Where to watch: CBC News Network
- Where to listen: CBC Radio One in Nunavut will be broadcasting a live radio special in Inuktitut
Pope Francis tours Iqaluit with community members before leaving Canada.
- Time: 5:00 PM ET
- Where to watch: CBC News Network, CBCNews.ca, CBC News app, CBC Gem
Support is available for anyone affected by residential schools and those challenged by the latest reports.
The Society of Indian Residential School Survivors (IRSSS) can be reached toll free at 1-800-721-0066.
A national Indian school crisis line has been set up to provide support for ex-students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
In addition, the NWT Helpline offers free support to residents of the Northwest Territories, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s 100% free and confidential. The NWT Helpline also has a follow-up call option. Residents can call the helpline at 1-800-661-0844.
In Nunavut, Kamatsiaqtut Helpline is open 24 hours a day at 1-800-265-3333. People are invited to call for any reason.
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