杏MAP导航

By Benedetta Capelli

An 鈥渁tmosphere of listening and closeness鈥� marked the meeting Thursday morning between 杏MAP导航 Francis and a group of some 20 delegates of Canada鈥檚 First Nations peoples, who were accompanied by several Canadian bishops. It was the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 third visit with delegations of indigenous Canadians, having met earlier this week with representatives of the Mètis and Inuit peoples in separate audiences. On Friday, the Holy Father will meet with all three groups together for a public audience in which the 杏MAP导航 is expected to address the delegates.

Following the meeting on Thursday, First Nations delegates dressed in traditional attire met with members of the press outside St Peter's Square to talk about their experience. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a special day," said Regional Chief Gerald Antonie, the delegation lead, noting that 杏MAP导航 Francis had listened attentively to their words. 鈥淭he things that happened to us should never have ever happened鈥︹�� he continued, adding 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to tell you the truth.鈥� His words were also marked by pain for the past, for the abuses that took place, for the many victims of the so-called residential schools.
 

The issue of the residential school system 鈥� a scheme for the forcible integration of indigenous children into Canadian culture by separating them from their families and communities and placing them in boarding schools 鈥� came to renewed prominence last summer with the discovery of mass graves at the locations of several of the schools. The system was organized by the Canadian government and implemented in cooperation with Christian churches, with a substantial number of schools operated by the Catholic Church. Hence the need to proceed along a path of reconciliation and forgiveness, which was marked last June after the Canadian bishops鈥� 鈥渕ea culpa鈥� immediately following the discovery of a mass grave at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Chief Antoine also recalled the special relationship with 鈥淢other Earth,鈥� saying 鈥淢other Earth is our home.鈥� He said it is necessary to hear the voices of indigenous people, who can speak the truth about the earth, which must be protected. So, he continued, we must all 鈥渨ork together because we don't have much time left.鈥�

"It is never too late"

Earlier this week, 杏MAP导航 Francis had received representatives of the original Métis and Inuit peoples, in separate audiences. In their meeting with the press on Monday, delegates reiterated the need for 鈥渢ruth, justice, healing, and reconciliation.鈥� Métis National Council president Cassidy Caron insisted, 鈥淲hile the time for acknowledgement, apology and atonement is long overdue, it is never too late to do the right thing.鈥�

From the Inuit delegation, Martha Greig, a survivor of the residential schools, said she told the 杏MAP导航 that people need healing. She said, 鈥淚 invited him to come to Canada,鈥� adding, 鈥渋t would mean a lot to the former residents and their families.鈥� A papal trip has been announced but not yet confirmed.