‘My mom’s dream’: An intergenerational survivor on why she and her daughter needed to see the Pope
Global News
Like many others attending the “penitential pilgrimage” on Monday, Sherry Mitchell’s focus was not on herself or the Pope, but on her mother and her 12-year-old daughter, Bella.
Warning: This story deals with disturbing subject matter that may upset and trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.
Sherry Mitchell sat quietly in her seat at the arbour in Maskwacis, Alta., as Pope Francis made his second formal apology for the grave harms of residential schools.
A small Métis flag carefully positioned in her jean jacket pocket and a bright sash draped across her shoulder, she listened as the Holy Father condemned the “disastrous error” of residential schools and their “catastrophic” consequences.
“It is painful to think of how the firm soil of values, language and culture that made up the authentic identity of your peoples was eroded, and that you have continued to pay the price of this,” he said via a translator to a captive audience of more than a thousand people.
“I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous peoples.”
At these last words, some survivors, youth and elders let out whoops of celebration in between loud applause. Others remained silent, arms folded in their seats. Some cried out in a flood of relief, others in pain and sadness.
The 85-year-old pontiff rose to accept a headdress from his Treaty 6 hosts and smiled as he accepted other gifts and tokens of appreciation.
Like many others attending the “penitential pilgrimage” on Monday, Mitchell’s focus was not on herself or the Pope, but her mother – a residential school survivor – and her 12-year-old daughter, Bella.
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