STATEMENT FROM THE ATHABASCA TRIBAL COUNCIL ON POPE FRANCIS’ VISIT TO CANADA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(July 26, 2022, Fort McMurray, AB) – The Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) is sending prayers of comfort and healing to all Indian Residential School survivors, Indian Day School survivors, Indian Day Scholars, 60’s Scoop survivors and their families during this week of the Pope’s visit to Canada. Additionally, we believe it is critically important to continue to stand alongside calls for more concrete action to follow the apology by the Pope and the Roman Catholic church, the Government of Canada and the RCMP.
Yesterday, during a visit to Maskwacis, Alberta, on the site of a former residential school at Ermineskin Cree Nation, the Pope apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in residential schools, cultural destruction and forced assimilation.
“Sorry for the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed the indigenous peoples. I am sorry,” said Pope Francis.
“An apology from the Pope is not enough for what everyone needs at this moment. Still, it is a start to the many actions that need to follow from the Catholic Church, the Government of Canada, and the RCMP, for their roles in so many atrocities,” said Chief Allan Adam, President of the Athabasca Tribal Council. “The RCMP are key accomplices to these crimes with the Catholic Church. Their role in assimilation through the removal of children by force from their loving families cannot be overlooked. The policies of the RCMP have created a police force that continues to oppress and discriminate against Indigenous people today. The RCMP has gone to great lengths to protect Individuals in the Catholic Church who committed these heinous atrocities against children. Many of these individuals still live, and it is far past time that the RCMP stop protecting those responsible for so much trauma and death in our communities. They must face the justice system.”
ATC appreciates the sentiment of the Pope’s apology but believes more needs to be done. The Catholic Church needs to:
Follow through on promises that have not been fulfilled, such as the $30 million pledged by the Church in monetary support for initiatives that support survivors. To date, only $4 million has been raised, and there are still records that they have not released that will allow for the identification of children essential for true healing to occur.
The focus needs to be on residential school survivors to understand their history, their grief, and how those experiences have impacted them and many generations after them.
Additionally, a monumental amount of money and speedy efforts have been put in place to prepare and beautify areas. ATC calls on the Catholic Church, the Government of Canada, and the RCMP, to use this speed of action to support for survivors and their families.
“Many emotions will be felt throughout this week and in the aftermath of this visit,” said Karla Buffalo, CEO of ATC. “The focus of efforts needs to be redirected to the survivors and families impacted and not on the celebrity of the Pope. We want the churches, governments and the RCMP to remember this in their plans now and moving forward.”
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls-to-action included a call for the Pope to apologize on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church for its role in the residential school system. However, it is only since the public awareness of unmarked graves in the past year and a delegation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit visiting the Vatican in March and April of this year that resulted in this penitential pilgrimage.
The Roman Catholic Church is directly responsible for the abuse of Indigenous children, including sexual abuse, which the Pope did not directly acknowledge in his apology today. The Pope also did not recognize the genocide of Indigenous people since the papal bulls, known as the Doctrine of Discovery. We call upon the leaders of the various levels of government in Canada to continue with the calls-to-action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and ensure that concrete actions are taken to support survivors and the reclamation of Indigenous culture.
The Cree and Déne people have survived and are thriving Nations despite the coordinated assimilation policies of the Catholic Church, RCMP and governments of Canada to erase the history, the languages, the culture, and the people. ATC will continue to support community members as they move forward from past traumas. Our families will continue to heal and bring our culture back to the people.
ATC would like members to know that whatever this week may bring to each residential school survivor, their children and their children's children, we acknowledge you, hear you, and support you. Be gentle and kind with each other as we journey together on different parts of a healing path.
To Indigenous allies and friends, ATC encourages you to be present in the moment, focus on the survivors, pray for healing and comfort, and listen and hear from your Indigenous neighbours about their experiences and grief. ATC asks you to give the community the space to share their stories so you can better understand the trauma and validate their experiences. ATC encourages you to amplify Indigenous voices and give support to survivors by walking alongside us on this journey.
If you or someone you care about needs support during the Pope’s visit to Canada, The Indian Residential School Survivors Society can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-721-0066.
A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
If you are interested in the pilgrimage stops, they will be live-streamed in a range of languages, including Déne, Cree and English. You can learn more at https://www.papalvisit.ca/.
Papal visits will also be broadcast on the CBC. You can find links to how you can listen or watch here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/pope-francis-canada-watch-listen-1.6526076.
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About ATC
Athabasca Tribal Council is an organization that serves our First Nations by providing relevant and innovative programs and services that enrich the well-being, health and prosperity of its people. ATC is committed to ensuring the protection of inherent rights, Treaty Rights, and their Traditional Territories while respecting the autonomy of each Nation. For information, visit atcfn.ca.
For more information:
Karla Buffalo
Chief Executive Officer, Athabasca Tribal Council
karla.buffalo@atcfn.ca
Main Office Phone: (780) 791-6538