Central Island Indigenous leaders are hopeful an apology from the Roman Catholic ChurchB次元官网网址檚 leader, for abuse by clergy at residential schools, is just a start.

After meeting with Canadian Indigenous representatives this week at Vatican City, Pope Francis asked for forgiveness Friday, April 1, on behalf of himself and Canadian bishops, for abuse and conduct of members. He pledged to travel to Canada, although a date has not yet been determined.

Chief Michael Wyse, of Snuneymuxw First Nation, told the B次元官网网址 Bulletin that he had mixed emotions about the apology. It was B次元官网网址渁 long time comingB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渢he first steps in what needs to take place in reconciliation,B次元官网网址� he said.

Joy Bremner, Mid-Island M茅tis Nation president, referred to reconciliation as a B次元官网网址渏ourneyB次元官网网址� and the visit with the pope a B次元官网网址渨elcome beginning with the Catholic church.B次元官网网址� It was good to have the pope actually meeting survivors to hear personal stories, as itB次元官网网址檚 one thing to have documents and paperwork, but B次元官网网址渢he personal impact of hearing that it goes much deeper,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淎s the Indigenous population becomes more comfortable talking and speaking about it, more stories will come out and that is a part of the healing,B次元官网网址� said Bremner. B次元官网网址淗earing the truth of what the impacts have been B次元官网网址� and itB次元官网网址檚 not an easy thing to listen to and it is heartbreaking on many levels B次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檙e also starting to now hear from some of those that have made the journey towards healing.B次元官网网址�

She said thereB次元官网网址檚 an B次元官网网址渆mphasisB次元官网网址� across Canada on reconciliation and some positives are coming from that, but more will need to be done.

B次元官网网址淰arious people as they become more comfortable sharing the truth, other things may come up that need to be dealt with and become a part of the healing journey,B次元官网网址� she said.

In a statement, Judith Sayers, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council president, said the words were a start, but was too long in coming, given the last residential school closed in 1996. She hopes the pope has something more substantial when he travels to Canada.

B次元官网网址淭he apology would have meant more with concrete actions by the church to address the wrongs and how it could be righted B次元官网网址� after all, that is what reconciliation is about,B次元官网网址� Sayers said. B次元官网网址淭he Catholic church is wealthy and could certainly help with money to provide needed services in counselling, cultural healing activities, education, revival of our languages, to name a few.B次元官网网址�

Approximately 150,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families and taken to residential schools in Canada, with more than 60 per cent going to institutions operated by the Catholic church.

B次元官网网址� files from Black Press Media and Canadian Press

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