FSIN Chief disappointed with lack of papal visit to Sask.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron says he’s disappointed with the lack of a papal visit to Saskatchewan, but reiterated that it’s the actions that follow the visit that truly count.
“We had a hope and a prayer that he would come and do the apology at one of our residential school sites, within our treaty territories, on one of our First Nations,” Cameron said on CTV News Channel’s Power Play.
“It would have obviously a meaningful impact for the survivors, descendants, and families.”
Saskatchewan had one of the largest collections of residential schools in the country. This fact fueled many calls for the Pope to make Saskatchewan one of his stops during the papal visit this July.
“It only makes sense for the pope to visit one of our school sites,” said Cameron.
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Quebec City, Iqaluit, and Edmonton, according to a statement from the Vatican.
The reasoning for the three cities being chosen was due to Edmonton having the second largest urban Indigenous population in Canada and Alberta having the most residential schools in the country, with 25 overall.
Iqaluit was chosen due to it being host to the largest Inuit population in an urban area in Canada with 3,900 people.
Quebec City was picked because it lies very close to the Basilica of St. Anne-de-Beaupré, which the Vatican noted is, “one of the oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites in North America which draws Indigenous peoples and others from throughout Canada and from around the world annually.”
The 85-year-old Pope is reported to have mobility issues. This fact is said to have been a major influencer of the locations chosen for his first papal visit to Canada, according to Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, who is serving as general coordinator of the trip.
Regardless of the papal visit, Chief Cameron maintains that it’s the actions by the Catholic Church that matter much more than any apology the pope can give.
“When all is said and done, it’s the action items that are more crucial to the healing journey,” he said.
“Those First Nations artifacts and records be immediately handed over to First Nations communities. That healing and wellness centres be constructed where these residential school sites happened. And for all of these perpetrators of these crimes that happened in these residential schools be brought to justice.”
Pope Francis’ visit to Canada is scheduled to begin July 24 and is set to last until July 30.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.