The Grand Chief of the Confederation of Treaty Six First Nations, which has been hosting Pope Francis in Alberta, suggests the apology was just the first step in the Catholic Church making amends. Grand Chief George Arcand Jr says, after meeting with the Pope and hearing his workds, I believe there is a path forward together, but there is a lot of work to be done, including the Church unlearning its ways of patronizing Indigenous people, and repairing the relationships by looking at them as partners. He asks for Canadians to show kindness towards residential school Survivors, their families and communities, because some of have been deeply impacted by the visit and the ongoing trauma.

St. Anne’s Residential School Survivor and advocate, Evelyn Korkmaz, says it is overwhelming because she waited 50 years for this apology. However, she adds that 50 years is too long to wait.
Pope Francis is in Lac Ste. Anne late this afternoon (Tues), the site of an annual pilgrimage that welcomes tens of thousands of Indigenous participants from throughout Canada and the United States each year. He will hold at prayer service at 5 o’clock.

Tomorrow morning, the Pope travels to Quebec and then on to Iqaluit next Friday. The Prime Minister will speak with Pope Francis late Wednesday afternoon.