‘A long journey’: Reconciliation happening day by day, one year after Pope’s apology

Many have had a year to reflect on an apology made from Pope Francis on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church that was delivered on Canadian soil in Maskwacis, Alberta.

Phil Fontaine has had a year to reflect since he heard an apology from the head of the Roman Catholic Church, something the former Assembly of First Nations national chief fought much of his life to have delivered on Canadian soil.

“Without an apology, it would be impossible to forgive,” Fontaine says after taking a few moments to contemplate the historic moment.

“And without forgiveness, there can’t be any true healing.”

This week marks a year since Pope Francis arrived in Canada. He delivered his first apology in Maskwacis, a Cree community south of Edmonton, in front of thousands of survivors, leaders and community members.

Pope Francis said he was sorry for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the cultural destruction and forced assimilation of Indigenous people, which culminated in residential schools.

The pontiff would deliver further apologies as he made stops in Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut during the six-day tour. On his flight back to Rome, in response to a journalist’s question, Francis said the abuses Indigenous Peoples faced amounted to genocide.

The apologies met a mixed response. Many Indigenous people said it was necessary, especially for residential school survivors, because it meant the head of the Catholic Church was finally recognizing harms were committed.

Some criticized Francis for not going far enough. Others thought Indigenous Peoples and organizations should disengage with the church altogether because they’d expended enough energy on it. Many called for actions, not words.