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Summary
The executives of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations invite Pope Francis to their treaty lands in Saskatchewan to formally apologize for Indian residential schools.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seeking a public apology from Pope Francis and will make the request May 29 when he travels to Vatican City for a face-to-face meeting.
“It would be very meaningful to the First Nations people if the Pope could stand on these Treaty lands and apologize on behalf of the Catholic church, right where we could have the Indian Residential School survivors there to hear,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in a press statement.
Saskatchewan has the highest number of residential school survivors. The First Nations, Métis and Inuit people who endured spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical and sexual abuse while in these institutions ranged in age from four to 16-years-old.
“For this apology to honour the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, it must be done on Treaty territory,” said Cameron. “It would be a big step forward for the church, and a powerful moment for survivors, spiritually and emotionally, to have Pope Francis apologize in person. We personally sent a letter of invitation to the Vatican.”
The FSIN represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan. The Federation is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.