Leaders in Canada reflect on 'long journey' of reconciliation a year after Pope's apology

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.

For Fontaine, the apology was extremely important.

The abuse inside the schools was long kept quiet nationally, but Fontaine broke the silence in 1990 when he spoke about his own experiences at the Fort Alexander Residential School in Manitoba.

An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools. More than 60 per cent of the schools were run by the Catholic Church.

Fontaine went to the Vatican in 2009 to meet Benedict, who was then the pontiff, and requested an apology. Benedict didn't oblige.

Fontaine once again travelled to the Vatican with an Indigenous delegation last year. That time, Pope Francis delivered his first apology and committed to bring his atonement to Canada.

The apology may not have been accepted by everyone, but Francis's plea for forgiveness is just part of the journey the church must take, Fontaine says.