Local Indigenous leaders react to Pope’s apology

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Francis visited the cemetery at the site of the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School near Maskwacis, Alta.

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“I think he was definitely feeling the shame,” said Casimir.

“He was also feeling the depths of what had happened to us as First Nations, Indigenous and Metis individuals, who had been stripped from their language, spirituality and from their ways of being and knowing.”

LeBourdais was in Edmonton with his mom, who is a survivor of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

“The apology from the Pope to the survivors, particularly I’ve been speaking to my mom, she was quite, quite satisfied. I don’t want to use the term happy,” said LeBourdais.

“But she was relieved that the Pope came and took responsibility and accepted accountability for the actions of the church [and] for the actions of those who worked in the Kamloops Indian Residential School with the Indigenous children.”

And there were survivors from Tk’emlups te Secwépemc in attendance as well.

“They were very honoured to be here to witness this papal visit,” said Casimir.

“For them to have the Pope here and knowing how the residential school has impacted them and to see him for himself, and see the look on his face, and to hear the words come from his mouth and to know that they were coming deep within from his heart,” she said.

Casimir and LeBourdais were both adamant that the apology needs to be followed by action.

“In the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, there’s 94 recommendations and there’s a recommendation that once we get an apology from the Pope, there’s a path forward for us,” said LeBourdais.

“And the Pope was very adamant about it. We brought the moccasins to him, four or five months ago, and said, when you’re ready to apologize, bring them back and we’ll walk forward together,” he said.

“And that’s what occurred, he brought the moccasins back, he apologized and he’s ready to move forward.”

“I totally agree that this is only the first step of many steps,” said Casimir.

“He said that there’s going to be no effort spared. To me, those are very strong words when it comes to commitment.”

“We’re right at the beginning steps of truth.”