With the papal visit ended many in the North have more to say
With the papal visit ended many in the North have more to say
With the pope headed back to the Vatican, some residential school survivors in our region feel his apology tour did not go far enough.
Some felt Pope Francis' apologies for the atrocities of the residential school system were sincere, while others see them as empty words, even as he added to his remarks in Quebec on Wednesday to address the church's sexual abuse scandals.
Elder Angela Ashishkeesh watched his Edmonton apology and says she had an opportunity to meet the pope in Quebec, to tell him about her horrific experience at St. Anne's residential school in Fort Albany.
Elder Ashishkeesh declined to see the pope in person, after his disappointing apology in Edmonton earlier this week.
"When I looked at him ... everything just surfaced up, what I went through, the way I used to cry when I used to get punished ... my whole dignity was taken away when I was abused, sexually abused, by a man who wore a cross ... he's the head one of the church. Why should I go and see him and say 'apologize to me,' no, you don't do that," said Ashishkeesh.
Ashishkeesh says she is offended that the pope didn't visit Ontario or step foot on former residential school sites.
First Nations officials met with him Friday, to make a request.
"We presented him with a letter, requesting that the Vatican return the documents and other proof and truth, that are being held at the Vatican and we also requested that the Catholic Church be part of the healing process," said Anna Betty Achneepineskum of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
Ashishkeesh agrees that the church needs to show action.
"Why can't they show the justice for us? Just to do an apology is meaningless for me. Empty, empty," added Ashishkeesh.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation told CTV they want the church and those still alive from the residential school era will be held accountable; but admits it isn't that the church will follow through.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.