Anglican Church head did not contact Métis national president before visit
Meetings between the senior bishop from the Church of England and residential school survivors in Saskatchewan would have been more complete with wider visits to Métis dignitaries and communities, the Métis National Council president says.
Cassidy Caron on Friday in Saskatoon said she only recently found out that Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Anglican Church, was set to visit James Smith Cree Nation on Saturday and hear stories shared by residential school survivors, followed by a community tour and dinner.
Following a Sunday service, Welby was also attending an Indigenous gathering in Prince Albert where he was meeting with Indigenous leaders and more residential school survivors.
“We actually didn't get reached out to by the Anglican Church to let us know that the archbishop would be coming to make a visit to Canada,” Caron said. “I only learned of this through a journalist, actually, just a couple of days ago.”
Welby said the purpose of the trip is to repent and atone for the harm the Church of England has caused to Indigenous peoples. He said the visit was going to be an opportunity to listen, lament and pray for justice, healing, and to transform the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the church.
“We're looking forward to hearing about the visit and perhaps outcomes and actions that will follow,” Caron said.
She noted that the archbishop had offered to travel to the Mohawk Institute in Ontario, but a visit could not be agreed upon.
Barry Hill, chair of the Mohawk Chapel Committee, said earlier this month that objections about the format of the visit were raised by the survivors of the Mohawk Institute.
The Mohawk Institute is considered Canada's longest running residential school, operating from 1828 to 1970. It was run by the Anglican Church, which has apologized to Indigenous communities for its role in the school system.
The Anglican Church says it ran about three dozen residential schools in Canada between 1820 and 1969.
“The history of the Church of England in Canada is one that has, to my profound regret, caused lasting suffering and hurt to the Indigenous communities,” Welby said in a statement.
“The Church of England had pledged to walk with Indigenous people and advocate for them `as long as the grass grows.' Instead, we failed to honour our commitment to be an advocate, ally and relative of First Nations people.”
In 1993, the Anglican Church of Canada apologized for operating residential schools.
An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools in Canada, including several schools in Saskatchewan.
The George Gordon Indian Residential School was first established by the Anglican Church of Canada just north of Regina in 1888 and operated until 1996, making it one of the longest-running residential schools in the country.
Chief Byron Bitternose of the George Gordon First Nation said in April that 14 possible burials have been found at the site. The findings follow months of work with ground-penetrating radar.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has a record of 49 student deaths there.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report called the George Gordon school one of the worst run in the residential school system.
• If you are an Indian Residential School survivor, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419.