The Archbishop of Vancouver has apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system in Canada.
In a 14-part statement on twitter, Archbishop J. Michael Miller says “the Church was unquestionably wrong in implementing a government colonialist policy which resulted in devastation for children, families and communities.”
“In light of the heartbreaking disclosure of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, I am writing to express my deep apology and profound condolences to the families and communities that have been devastated by this horrific news,” Miller wrote.
He promises that the Archdiocese of Vancouver will be transparent with sharing records of residential schools and he is urging other Catholic and government organizations to do the same.
Miller says the Archdiocese of Vancouver will also offer mental health support and counselling for family members and anyone connected to the Kamloops Residential School.
It will also offer to assist with technological and professional support to help the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and “other affected Nations in whatever way they choose to honour, retrieve and remember their deceased children.”
“We will renew our efforts to listen to Indigenous Peoples to hear from you how we can best walk with you along the path of justice,” Miller said.
“We recognize that there is so much work remains to be done, yet we hope that, if we persevere in these commitments with humility, we can restore the trust among us that will bring healing.”
This isn’t the first time Archbishop Miller has apologized for the pain and suffering endured by children who attended residential schools. He also issued apologies in 2013 and 2015, the former of which was before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
His comments come almost one week to the day when Tk‘emlúps te Secwepemc said it found the remains of 215 children at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
“We do know that many other First Nations that have had residential schools in their communities, also, too, want to learn, and want to use new technology to be able to find their lost loved ones as well,” Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir said, noting she “absolutely” believes there will be more children found in Kamloops.
There have been renewed calls for the Pope to apologize for the trauma that residential schools have caused. One of those calls is from the Federal Government, with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett saying Catholics should put pressure on the church to do what is right.
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller also noted that it is “shameful” that the church has so far not apologized to the many thousands of students who were forcibly confined at residential schools run by the church.
“Certainly, the Catholic friends that I speak to believe it should be done. There is a responsibility,” Minister Miller said. “I think it is shameful that they haven’t done it, that it hasn’t been done to date.”
In a statement released on Friday, the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops said he was ‘heartbroken and horrified’ after learning about the discovery.
“I humbly join so many who are heartbroken and horrified concerning the news report of the discovery of the remains of 215 children found at the former residential school site in Kamloops,” Bishop Joseph Nguyen wrote.
While he offered his sympathy and support to local First Nations, there was no formal apology.
“I express my deepest sympathy to Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Nation and to all who are mourning this tragedy and an unspeakable loss. No words of sorrow could adequately describe this horrific discovery,” Nguyen said. “Along with the people of the Diocese of Kamloops, I offer assurance of my personal support, prayers and accompaniment to our First Nations community in Kamloops and beyond.”
Prior to 1945, the Kamloops Indian Residential School was within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
“As we see ever more clearly the pain and suffering of the past, the Bishops of Canada pledge to continue walking side by side with Indigenous Peoples in the present, seeking greater healing and reconciliation for the future,” a statement from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops released on Monday read.
Back in 2008, then Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized to to former students of Indian Residential Schools, on behalf of the Government of Canada. In 2017, Trudeau also apologized to former students of the provincially run residential schools in Newfoundland and Labrador who were not included in the apology nine years earlier.
“No amount of apologies is going to solve all of these issues,” Former Tk‘emlúps Chief Manny Jules told NL News. “What we have to do is make sure is that First Nations assume our rightful place in this federation known as Canada.”
In light of the heartbreaking disclosure of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, I am writing to express my deep apology and profound condolences to the families and communities that have been devastated by this horrific news. 1/14
— Archbishop Miller (@archbmiller) June 2, 2021
The Church was unquestionably wrong in implementing a government colonialist policy which resulted in devastation for children, families and communities. 5/14
— Archbishop Miller (@archbmiller) June 2, 2021
