Residential school compensation must be paid before any papal visit, say survivors, advocates

The potential $50 million to $100 million cost of a Canadian papal visit isn't far off the amount the Catholic Church still owes residential school survivors, say advocates.

They say that bill — estimated at slightly more than $60 million — must be paid and all documents about the schools disclosed before one dollar is committed to bringing Pope Francis to Canada for an expected apology. One Vatican expert says that's highly unlikely, but survivors say they'll keep pressing.

"That money should go to survivors first. The Vatican is rich. They owe us for what they did," Cote First Nation survivor Madeleine Whitehawk said.

"They have not been honourable. Saying sorry is not enough."

Last week, the Vatican announced the 84-year-old pontiff intends to come to Canada to further the "long-standing pastoral process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples." No dates or locations have been confirmed.

Saskatchewan Cree lawyer Eleanore Sunchild, who has represented thousands of survivors, said a "photo op" by Francis is not enough.

"The Catholic Church has very deep pockets, and I'm sure they could pay all of the compensation they owe, plus more, and arrange for a trip for the Pope to come if that's what the survivors want."

One of the calls to action in the 2015 final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) called for a papal apology on Canadian soil within one year.

Former TRC commissioner Marie Wilson said the Vatican announcement "is good news, but it's long overdue."

Wilson said the TRC issued the report assuming there would be full compensation and document disclosure, but that hasn't happened. She said it's "obvious" that must be remedied before any visit.

"It's just words unless it's accompanied by meaningful action. You must make tangible efforts to make amends. There's been a breach of that, so there has to be action," she said.

This past summer, anger against the church grew with the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at school sites at Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in British Columbia, Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan and elsewhere.

A CBC investigation also raised questions about the Catholic Church's claims that it compensated survivors who attended schools run by the church. For example, Canadian Catholic churches fundraised less than $4 million for survivors while dedicating more than $300 million to church and cathedral construction.

Saskatoon First Nations lawyer Donald Worme, who served as lead counsel for the TRC, said he believes the church was never sincere about making amends.