Yesterday, Pope Francis arrived in Canada in the hope of reconciling the Church with First Nations.
Reconciliation is sorely needed. Some 150,000 children were forced into Residential Schools by the Canadian government between 1847 & 1996. About 6,000 died of disease, malnutrition and abuse. (The title photo is of a banner shown to Pope Francis today with all the names of the dead children.) Most were buried on school grounds because the government would not pay for the remains to be returned to their family.
Pope Francis praying at Ermineskin Cemetery.
In total there were ~130 schools, though the maximum at any one time was 80 schools (about 50 being run by the Catholic Church.) The government plan was to take children out of their "savage" communities and put into a "higher civilization" with a plan for "full citizenship."
For a little perspective, the first place I worked after immigrating to Canada was a remote town in Saskatchewan which served four other First Nation communities, totaling 10,000 people. These communities reside in an area of woodland and lakes larger than the whole of Ireland! Canada prides itself on being multicultural and inclusive, but it was obvious that such inclusivity did not stretch to First Nations.
Irish Parallels
The best comparison I can give to Irish readers is that First Nations in Canada have lived through many years of discrimination, similar — and in some ways worse — to the Penal Years in Ireland.
There were many discriminatory laws. Some against Native ownership of land, others to farming, language rights, clothing, religious rights etc. Frequently the Treaties were ignored or broken. There was forced religious conversion as part of the assimilation and amazingly, 2/3 of First Nations are still Christian. (Possibly ~80% Catholic, ~20% Anglican.)
The near-extinction of the bison left many hungry or starving. John A Macdonald the Prime Minister, did not honour the treaties which guaranteed food in times of famine. The Residential School system had horrible similarities to the Workhouses in Ireland and fatal diseases were deliberately introduced into many Native communities.
Even today, there are native communities without a dependable fresh water supply. Canada may have 7-20% of the world’s freshwater but (as of November 2020) there were still 60 ‘boil-water’ advisories across 41 First Nations communities. All are not visibly equal under the law. (The Métis woman, who helped organize the 2022 Canada Convoy protest, was detained ~48 days for an alleged ‘breach of parole’ though some who are accused of violent crime walk free.)
“First Nations”
Irish people may think of “North American Indian” when hearing the term, First Nations. Aboriginal people in Canada include First Nations, Métis and Inuit. (NB: the term ‘Indian’ is now somewhat pejorative.)
‘First Nations’ is a very heterogenous group. There are over 600 individual FN communities in Canada comprising about a million people: about half live off reserve. Another million have some First Nations ancestry (Métis.) For example, in Alberta there are 45 FN communities with at least 8 different ethnic backgrounds: Dene, Cree, Woods Cree, Nakoda, Slavey, Anishwaabe, Blackfoot and Chipewyan. Edmonton may be second only to Winnipeg in the number of First Nation residents. (Winnipeg ~90,000; Edmonton ~76,000. For comparison, there were only 110,000 North American Indians in the whole of New York City, last census.)
Historical Context.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI met privately with a delegation from Canada's Assembly of First Nations in the Vatican and expressed "sorrow" over the Residential School abuse. He noted the "deplorable" treatment that aboriginal students suffered and "offered his sympathy and prayerful solidarity" to those whose anguish was caused by some church members.
A good start, but that was just not enough.
Indigenous Elders / Chiefs
I am no expert in native issues, but wonder if the need for Pope Francis to apologize on Canadian soil — on native land — boiled down to simple humility, civility & humanity, blended with strong cultural issues.
Elders have an important role in Native culture, providing wisdom and leadership for their community through gentle words and actions. They are usually over 60-65 years old. (Further information: https://youtu.be/BdRe3cD6Ijk ) Chiefs are the leaders of the band, chosen by consensus or from ancestral rights. They hold the main position of authority and negotiate with government. A Chief may also act as a cultural and spiritual leader, like an Elder.
The Pope is the prime “Elder” and “Chief” of the Catholic Church. He needed to come here to ask forgiveness on our behalf and on behalf of all the Catholic Church. Shaking hands with people, and being their guest, has a major significance in Cree culture.
Today, the Holy Father visited Maskwacis, Alberta where he begged forgiveness from our wounded bothers and sisters. “I am deeply sorry for the ways many Christians supported the colonizing mentality of the powers that oppressed Indigenous peoples. I am sorry. I ask forgiveness.”
After the apology, the Holy Father was given the traditional head-dress of a Chief to wear. This is not just a cute photo-op: there is profound meaning to this honour.
Today, I am proud of Pope Francis and our journey of Reconciliation.
Kevin Hay
(amended 31 July 2022)