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Papal Visit

Papal apology doesn’t go far enough, action still needed according to survivors

Jul 26, 2022 | 6:44 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Pope Francis officially made his apology on Canadian soil for what happened in Canada’s residential school system earlier this week, but it didn’t go far enough according to survivors.

Regional Chief Terry Teegee said although he accepts the apology it still lacks action including real change within the Catholic church.

“Im supportive of the apology and recognizing that it’s just the beginning of a process,” said Teegee. “A process where further to words there is going to be a lot of steps taken to forgive the church and part of that is providing the compensation that should have come many years ago.”

Teegee said the atmosphere for the apology with so many residential school survivors gathered made it an emotional moment he will always remember.

As the Holy Mass was held at Commonwealth Stadium on Tuesday, dozens watched from the House of Ancestors in Prince George as part of an event put on by the Indian Residential School Suvivors Society.

One of those watching closely over the last number of days and for the apology was Lheidli T’enneh Elder and residential school survivor himself Clifford Quaw.

“I didn’t accept it or reject it,” said Quaw. “It simply is what it is.”

The elder said there were missing words in the Pope’s speech with no mention of sexual abuse or the word genocide.

Others looked on, some accepting, the apology and others not, according to Quaw no matter how you see it this moment still offers a real opportunity for many struggling to begin on their path of healing.

The path of healing is something Quaw has gone through himself and continues to embark on, now focused on a role of helping others and speaking out about the truth.