On this edition of Your Call, we're discussing reaction to Pope Francis's trip to central Alberta where he apologized for the "deplorable evil" committed in Catholic-run Indigenous Residential Schools.
More than 150,000 Indigenous children in Canada were removed and separated from their families and communities to attend these schools. The last one closed in the late 1990s. The Pope's trip has received a mixed reaction among the Indigenous community. Many say they want action, not just words.
Guests:
Lori Campbell, band member of the Montreal Lake First Nation, intergenerational survivor of the Residential School system, associate vice-president of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan
Brandi Morin, French, Cree, Iroquois journalist covering Indigenous issues for several outlets, including the CBC, Indian Country Today, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, and Aljazeera, and author of the forthcoming memoir, Our Voice of Fire
Bruce Allan, member of the Beaver Clan Stellat’en First Nation, residential school survivor, resolution health support worker at the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, and educator at the College of New Caledonia since 1995 in First Nation Studies
Web Resources:
The Conversation, Lori Campbell: I survived the ’60s Scoop. Here’s why the Pope’s apology isn’t an apology at all
AlJazeera: Pope’s Canada visit ‘doesn’t heal’ wounds of Indigenous survivors
Associated Press: Pope in headdress stirs deep emotions in Indian Country