Archdiocese of Regina issues final appeal to residential school survivors for Pope’s visit | Globalnews.ca

As arrangements are still underway for survivors from residential schools within the Diocese of Regina to attend the pope’s visit in Edmonton, finding people to attend has been a problem.

The Archdiocese of Regina put out a call weeks ago for residential school survivors to join the upcoming papal visit to Edmonton July 24-26. A collection team was established to compile a list of survivors from residential schools in Treaty 4, but the response has been less than expected.

The Archbishop of Regina said registration, travel, hotel stay and meals will be taken care of. Each residential school survivor will also be allowed to bring a support person, but as the deadline for attendees to register approaches on Friday, July 8, they are realizing that there is little interest from the community.

“Provisionally, we have three buses ready to go, with a capacity of 150 people,” Archbishop Don Bolen said. “It doesn’t look like we’re going to have that many survivors.”

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Residential school survivors react to Pope’s visit

Bolen said there are many factors behind why there is a drop in attendees, including some who are unaware the option is available. Others, he says, have expressed a disinterest in attending.

“I understand that there is some tension, differences of opinion, within First Nations communities around the apology and it makes sense that this is the case,” Bolen said. “So we are only trying to offer the offer to those who wish to attend or be connected with the event.”

Other dioceses in Saskatchewan and indigenous organizations have yet to officially announce any of their arrangements, but Archbishop Bolen confirms that many are expected to make their announcements.

In a previous story, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations confirmed that there will be federal funding for residential school survivors to attend the Pope’s visit, but that announcement has yet to be made.

Bolen encourages those within the Archdiocese of Regina who wish to attend the Pope’s visit to contact the Diocese of Regina or visit the Papal visit website in obtaining free tickets to attend.

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Initial set of tickets for Pope’s Mass in Edmonton booked in minutes

The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.