Maritime residential school survivor reacts to Bishops' Council apology
Less than a week before Canada's first Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement apologizing for some of the wrongs done in residential schools.
"I couldn't believe that they would even admit all those things and still, there's no justice," says Yvonne (Paul) Meunier, a survivor of the Shubenacadie residential school.
Now a grandmother, Meunier says she never thought she would see any admission like this in her lifetime.
She says for the survivors who have died, like her father, and the children who never came home, it's too late.
"So when I think about my ancestors that are on the other side and all the children that were just found - the 6,509 kids that were found - and I look at that apology and I say to myself My God, it's like a slap in the face," says Meunier.
The apology states: "Many Catholic religious communities participated in this system, which led to the suppression of Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality," and acknowledges the grave abuses that were committed, “physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural and sexual.”
It wraps up by recognizing ongoing trauma and says, "we express our profound remorse, and apologize unequivocally."
"They were very clear on the damage that was done, psychologically, spiritually, emotionally, physically," Meunier says.
Meunier's son, Jeff Ward, is general manager of the Membertou Heritage Park. He says he had heard words of apology from local parish priests, and from the Archbishop of Halifax –Yarmouth prior to the statement.
Ward says while this latest apology is a step in the right direction, true accountability has to come from Rome.
"It needs to come from the top. It needs to come right from the Pope," Ward said, "and it has to come directly to our people and I believe that's the steps that have to happen."
The letter from the Council of Bishops raises the possibility of a visit from the Pope to Canada as part of the healing process. It also commits to continued work to memorialize those buried in unmarked graves.
"I mean, it had to be addressed. So was it sincere enough? It's a start”, Ward says.
"It will be interesting to see what's going to come out of this, other than just an apology," says Meunier, "at least they're admitting, that's some sort of consolation there."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.