Residential school survivors, Indigenous leaders say Queen should apologize next

Now that residential school survivors have an initial apology from Pope Francis for the conduct of some Catholics at the facilities, president of the Métis National Council Cassidy Caron says the Queen should be the next to apologize.

Following a suggestion from a Métis residential school survivor, Caron is calling on Queen Elizabeth II, as Canada's head of state and leader of the Anglican Church, to apologize for the operation of residential schools and pay reparations to survivors.

"There's so much healing that is needed," Caron said.

"We need basic human necessities in our communities and it stems from colonization. It stems from assimilation and some financial reparations are absolutely helpful in helping us move forward."

Caron said she plans to deliver that message when she meets Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, at Rideau Hall this week during their Canadian tour. 

Mary Simon, Canada's first Indigenous Governor General, called the visit a chance to "showcase the evolution of our country, our diverse and inclusive society, as well as the resilience of Indigenous communities."

Many First Nations signed treaties with the Crown that made promises — such as pledges to share resources — that the Crown later violated.

"The Queen is also a treaty member and she has an obligation to live up to the agreement," said Paul Andrew, who survived the notorious residential school Grollier Hall in Inuvik, N.W.T.

"Through reconciliation, they can right the wrongs."

Andrew said that means the Queen should ensure there are no more land surrenders and Indigenous rights are respected. 

"An apology would be good, but I think it is much more important that we see the kind of action that is needed," said Andrew, who is the former chief of Tulita, located 614 km northwest of Yellowknife.

"We're demanding a new relationship … The ball is in their court."

The Anglican Church ran 36 residential schools — the most of any religious denomination apart from the Roman Catholic Church — and operated more than 150 Indian day schools between 1820 and 1969.

Piita Irniq, a former commissioner of Nunavut, said he wants Charles and Camilla to learn about the Indigenous cultures residential schools tried to destroy.