Mixed reaction from residential school survivors after announcement of papal visit
CTV
There's mixed reaction among residential school survivors after the Pope agreed to visit Canada. While many survivors want the apology that is due to them, others are questioning the cost of the visit.
The Vatican said Oct. 27 that the Pope is willing to travel to Canada after an invitation from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. This potentially sets the stage for a papal apology, although the Vatican has not indicated that an apology from the Pope would be guaranteed as part of a visit.
Michael Cheena spent eight years of his life at Bishop Horden Memorial School in Moose Factory Island, Ont. and Shingwuk Hall Residential School in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. He says he was surprised to hear about the announcement from the Vatican.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the Pope come to Canada to apologize to residential school survivors," he told CTV News.
More than 150,000 children were forced to attend government- and church-run residential schools. The children were forbidden from practising their culture, and often subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
