Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc is once again calling on the Catholic Church to release all the relevant records of children who died at residential schools across Canada.
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says a recent apology from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) did not live up to the promises made by the church with regards to the release of documents.
“If this apology is truly a commitment, then Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc insists on the complete and full production of all relevant documents and records in a manner and form useful and accessible to Indian Residential School survivors to help identify those missing, and those unmarked graves and repatriating those lost,” she said Thursday, during a press conference on Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
In the Sept. 24 apology, the CCCB expressed “profound remorse” and apologized unequivocally along with all Catholic entities that were directly involved in the operation of the residential schools. They have since also pledged $30 million over five years toward Indigenous reconciliation projects and to help residential school survivors.
“In reviewing this apology, I had a disturbing sense of déjà vu,” Casimir said, noting there were no acts of contrition or promises to live up to the commitments made by the CCCB with regards to the disclosure of documents and information to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“The acknowledgments contained in the apology regarding the suffering and grave abuses caused by some members of the Roman Catholic community and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous peoples to the present day are essentially a repeat of the apologies made to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.”
Tk’emlúps also wants a meaningful apology from the Pope who has yet to apologize unlike the Anglican, Presbyterian and United churches.
“Reconciliation requires truth; and truth is but one milestone along with restitution and, potentially, retribution, in the path towards reconciliation,” she added. “At the very least, steps towards reconciliation demands honesty and transparency.”
Tk’emlúps legal counsel, Don Worme, says releasing those records will ensure that families and communities still suffering can be put at rest.
“Just to be clear, we do not need a document dump as some of the entities and some of the government departments have done in the past,” he said Thursday, noting people will find out in coming weeks and months if the promises of reconciliation that have been made are met.
“We need them in a fashion that is useful to the survivors. We need Canada and the churches to step up and do the right thing.”
Earlier this month, Casimir said there has been an outpouring of support since the confirmation of findings of the remains of more than 200 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School at the end of May.
“This past week has been a true testament of the journey that we have been on since May 27 filled with poignant as well as disturbing moments,” she said.
She also told media she was “holding out hope” that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would have spent the day in the community after the Band extended two invitations. Those comments from Casimir came hours before the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Justin Trudeau was vacationing with his family in Tofino on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Since that discovery in Kamloops, hundreds more graves have been found at the sites of several former residential schools across Canada and the United States.
Support services for residential school survivors in British Columbia:
* The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a 24-hour, provincewide Indigenous crisis line for Indigenous peoples in B.C. Adults, call 250-723-4050. Children and youth, call 250-723-2040. Toll-free: 1 800-588-8717
* First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous people across Canada toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or chat online: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
* The Métis Crisis Line for Métis people in B.C., available 24 hours a day at 1 833 MétisBC: 1-833-638-4722
* Tsow Tun Le Lum for Indigenous peoples in B.C., phone: 1 888-403-3123
* Indian Residential School Survivors Society, phone: 1-800-721-0066 or 604-985-4464
* 24-Hour National Crisis Line for residential school survivors and others affected: 1-866-925-4419
