Pope Francis has apologized to residential school survivors at the end of a week of meetings with First Nations, Inuit and Métis delegates.
Colleen Jacob, former chief of Xaxli'p First Nation in British Columbia, leads First Nations delegates in song outside St. Peter's Basilica.
"We didn't come just to complain. We offered solutions," said Littlechild, who attended three different residential schools over 14 years.Littlechild said Friday's meeting, which also falls on his 78th birthday, will be the "the first day of reconciliation."The Roman Catholic Church is the only institution that administered residential schools and has not yet formally apologized to survivors.
"I'm hoping that [the Pope] will be more direct about his visit to Canada and about an apology. Not that he has to apologize here," said Phil Fontaine, a residential school survivor and former national chief for the Assembly of First Nations. Wilton Littlechild, a former commissioner for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said the final audience with Pope Francis will be the “the first day of reconciliation.”
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why the meeting with Pope Francis is a historic one for First NationsSurvivors of residential school institutions will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican Thursday. The First Nation delegation led by the Assembly of First Nations will have one-hour with him.
Read more »
Pope Francis to apologize for Catholic Church's role in residential school system
Read more »
Pope Francis apologizes to Indigenous delegates for residential schools, vows to visit CanadaFrancis made the apology and vowed to visit Canada during an audience with dozens of members of the Métis, Inuit and First Nations.
Read more »
Pope Francis apologizes to Indigenous delegation for ‘deplorable’ residential school abuseFrancis made the apology and vowed to visit Canada during an audience with dozens of members of the Metis, Inuit and First Nations communities
Read more »