Local Indigenous community members watched as Pope Francis delivered a historic apology for the Roman Catholic Church's role in residential schools.
"In the face of this deplorable evil, the church kneels before God and implores his forgiveness for the sins of her children … I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous Peoples," Francis said Monday through a translator at the Maskwacis, Alta. community's powwow grounds.
Francis called the overall effects of the policies linked to residential schools "catastrophic" and said there must be a serious investigation into what took place.
The University of Waterloo Office of Indigenous Relations held a ceremonial fire sharing circle and viewing of the apology at St. Jerome's University, a Roman Catholic school on the campus.
"We want to do better. We want this country to be better. We want to show our children what humans can do and we want them to feel important and loved," said Elder Myengun Henry, who led the ceremony.
Ahead of the apology, Mike Ashkewe, an Ojibwe-Chippewas of Nawash shared a video to social media.
"I came in here very, very, very angry today. And to a certain extent, I'm not going to lie, I still am," he said.
"I am unbelievably furious with the church and how they've been treated. There's a reason why I left the church when the residential school thing came out last year."
As a Sixties Scoop survivor, Ashkewe said he's gone through a "long and difficult path" in finding his part in his heritage.
"When I talk about the Pope and I talk about all that, part of me is very curious. Is this just a guy securing his legacy? Is this just paying lip service? I want to believe the best in people. I really do," he said.
Ashkewe said he hopes people will choose to do right, but he wants to see justice and concrete action.
"For all the wrong that's been done, I hope the records are given right over. Those who have committed the crimes are held to account," he said.
"I hope the church does right by the survivors, their families, the reservations, the Natives, who have all suffered for this."
Land Back Camp Co-Founder, Bangishimo also watched the Pope's apology and criticized it.
"When he mentioned the types of abuse that took place in the school, he didn't mention sexual abuse," they said in a social media post.
Bangishimo saw the Pope handed gifts.
"As the child of a survivor, this is painful to watch," they said.
Now my tiktok is live from this morning BEFORE the apologyhttps://t.co/Uc0dDJ4vpT
— Mike Ashkewe (Heart of the River / O’dah ziibing) (@BirdmanDodd) July 25, 2022
When he mentioned the types of abuse that took place in the school, he didn't mention sexual abuse. #PopeInCanada 🤬🤬🤬
— Bangishimo (@bangishimo_) July 25, 2022
---With files from the Canadian Press
