No Pope visit to BC: Indigenous people between disappointment and mixed feelings

The discovery of around 200 unmarked graves near the city’s former Aboriginal boarding school a year ago was one of the triggers for the papal visit.

If she says she appreciates the fact that the pope is coming to Canada and understands the size of the country as well as the mobility issues facing the octogenarian, the leader Rosanne Casimir speaks of a missed opportunity to come to the scene of zero point […]the largest boarding school in the country run by the Roman Catholic Church.

” My hope is in justice and reconciliation so that First Nations across Canada can find a way to work with the Catholic Church so that we can truly walk the path of healing together for our children and future generations. »

Chef Rosanne Casimir does not lose hope that this visit historical can go through the province and mentions the highways and the airport 15 minutes away available for such travel.

I hope [que le pape] will have the opportunity to come to British Columbia and that he will take advantage of this opportunity, I have not ruled anything out at this time, and I will keep a little hope.

The BC Assembly of First Nations is also calling on the pope to revise his plans to include a visit to Tk’emlúps territory.

This glaring oversight must be rectified immediately says chef Terry Teegee. Kupki7 Rosanne Casimir traveled to the Vatican with a full delegation of leaders from across Canada, the Pope must show mutual respect to Kupki7 Casimir and Tk’emlúps.

Rosanne Casimir at a rally in front of the former Kamloops Indian residential school. (Archives)

Photo: Radio-Canada / Ben Nelms

A “slap” in the face of survivors, according to Judy Wilson

Chief Judy Wilson, secretary-treasurer of the Union of BC Native Chiefs, describes the pope’s failure to visit the province of slap in the face of residential school survivors. The Church must be accountable [et] the pope did not issue a full apologyshe says.

She explains that it was through British Columbia that the issue of burials near residential schools really came to light for many Canadians, even though this has been common knowledge among many indigenous peoples for a long, long time.

Judy Wilson said a flight from Edmonton to Kamloops would take about 45 minutes and said the community would be an important stop on the Pope’s trip.

” There are still mixed feelings among the survivors. Some want nothing to do with the pope because of the atrocities they and their families have suffered. »

Chief Judy Wilson calls the pope’s failure to visit the province a slap in the face for residential school survivors. (Archives)

Photo: Radio-Canada / Ben Nelms

An insignificant visit, according to Jason Louie

The Union of BC Native Chiefs calls for the repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery and the return of the lands. This is really important because many churches still have land, says Chef Judy Wilson. The organization also asks that churches fully disclose their data.

In June 2021, the Lower Kootenay community revealed the discovery of 182 unmarked graves (New window) near a former boarding school. Today Chief Jason Louie says the Pope’s visit doesn’t mean much for him and it doesn’t make sense.

” If the pope comes here to get down on his knees and ask for forgiveness the same way indigenous people have to get down on their knees and ask forgiveness for being indigenous, for not speaking English…then maybe that will appeal to my a little bit Warning. »

Chief Jason Louie would like all sites where burials are found to be considered crime scenes and ask us to stop to treat this individual [le pape] like he’s a hero when he’s part of the organization that killed our people.

With information from Chloé Dioré de Périgny and Michelle Ghoussoub