Phil Fontaine has had a year to reflect since he heard an apology from the head of the Roman Catholic Church, something the former Assembly of First Nations…
For Fontaine, the apology was extremely important.
Fontaine went to the Vatican in 2009 to meet Benedict, who was then the pontiff, and requested an apology. Benedict didn’t oblige. “We received the apology each in our own way as individuals,” Fontaine says. “And we decide as individuals whether we want to forgive.” Pope Francis asked Canadian Catholics to commit to four things: to ensure history is told in a truthful way; to support Indigenous language, culture and traditions; to be an ally in the pursuit of justice; and to appreciate Indigenous wisdom to care for the land and environment.Bolen reflected on what the church accomplished in the last 12 months. Many dioceses, including his own, have been working on providing access to archives.
But Bolen recognizes not every non-Indigenous Catholic has committed to reconciliation in the same way. Shifts in society happen over a long time, he says.Paul Gareau, an associate dean in Native Studies at the University of Alberta, says he feels “slightly confused and maybe a little hopeful” a year after the apology.
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