Muskowekwan First Nation calls for Pope to visit residential school during Canada trip & More News Here

Members of Muskowekwan — positioned about 150 km north east of Regina —  made the request at a information convention on Monday.

Thirty-five potential unmarked graves have been found final yr on the former website of Muskowekwan Indian Residential School.

On Monday, the First Nation was joined by Donald Bolen, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, and Marie-Anne Daywalker-Pelletier, who was a part of the First Nations delegation from Canada that met Pope Francis on the Vatican in March.

Representatives of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) have been additionally current. Last month, the FSIN referred to as for the Pope to visit Saskatchewan residential school gravesites during his trip scheduled for July. That request was echoed once more on Monday. 

“The Pope owes every survivor, family and community affected by the Catholic-operated Indian Residential Schools an apology on our own Treaty territory,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron mentioned. 

Cameron mentioned the Pope ought to visit First Nations in Saskatchewan, particularly one “where the site of the abuse still stands,” to witness the truth, impression and legacy of residential colleges. 

During her visit to Rome, Daywalker-Pelletier introduced Pope Francis with child moccasins in return of a promise for him to return them to the steps of a residential school in her area.

She mentioned she plans to maintain the Pope to account and questioned whether or not the deliberate papal visit was merely a reward for these “Indigenous people who still practise the faith, rather than a sign of reconciliation.”

Daywalker-Pelletier referred to as on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) to use its affect to have the Pope visit the Muskowekwan Indian Residential School. 

“The standing residential schools in Canada, much like the concentration camps of Dachau, Auschwitz-Birkenau and other holocaust sites in Europe, are our proof of Canada’s history and a visit by the Holy Father is a true sign the commitment that the Catholic church will never participate in this type of action ever again,” she mentioned. 

There have been 22 residential colleges in Saskatchewan, with tens of hundreds of First Nation youngsters compelled to attend. At least half have been run by the Catholic Church.

“Pope Francis and the Church must bear witness to the devastation brought on by the Church in our Treaty territory,” mentioned Cameron.

Pope Francis is anticipated to visit Quebec City, Edmonton and Iqaluit during a late July trip to Canada.

Support is out there for anybody affected by their expertise at residential colleges, and those that are triggered by the most recent studies.

A nationwide Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been arrange to present help for former college students and people affected. People can entry emotional and disaster referral companies by calling the 24-hour nationwide disaster line: 1-866-925-4419.