Pope Francis issued a historic apology Monday for the Catholic Church's cooperation with Canada's 'catastrophic' policy of Indigenous residential schools.
, saying the forced assimilation of Native peoples into Christian society destroyed their cultures, severed families and marginalized generations in ways still being felt today.
More than 150,000 native children in Canada were forced to attend state-funded Christian schools from the 19th century until the 1970s in an effort to isolate them from the influence of their homes and culture. The aim was to Christianize and assimilate them into mainstream society, which previous Canadian governments considered superior.
Despite the solemnity of the event, the atmosphere seemed at times joyful: Chiefs processed into the site venue to a hypnotic drumbeat, elders danced and the crowd cheered and chanted war songs, victory songs and finally a healing song. "I came here to represent her and to be here for the elders and the community," said Hosein, who wore one of her mother's colorful ribbon skirts.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who last year voiced an apology for the"incredibly harmful government policy" in organizing the residential school system, was also attending along with the governor general and other officials.
Regional Chief Gerald Antoine of the Assembly of First Nations greets His Holiness Pope Francis on his arrival in Canada. He said the policy marginalized generations, suppressed Indigenous languages, severed families, led to physical, verbal, psychological and spiritual abuse and"indelibly affected relationships between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren.
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