Chief Wilton Littlechild give Indigenous headdress to Pope Francis. (rdnewsNOW/ Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

Mixed emotions

WATCH: Local Indigenous members speak on Pope Francis visit to Maskwacis

Jul 25, 2022 | 6:56 PM

It was an emotional day in Maskwacis on Monday as local Indigenous members expressed their perspectives on Pope Francis’ apology for the Roman Catholic church’s harms through the residential school system.

The visit took place on July 25 at Bear Hills Park (Intersection of Hwy 2A & Hwy 611), the former site of the Ermineskin Indian Residential School.

The head of the Catholic church read his apology in Spanish, which was translated to English.

While some Indigenous members say they were satisfied with the apology, others say elements were lacking.

Most agree, however, that the apology marks just the beginning of further actions towards true reconciliation.

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Eileen Clearsky from Waywayseecappo First Nation, Manitoba, says her mother and aunts went to residential school with one not returning. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

Patrice Crate, day school survivor of Enoch Cree Nation hands out tissues to those in audience. She says both her parents were residential school survivors. (rdnewsNOW/ Alessia Proietti)

Names of missing children from various residential schools. (rdnewsNOW /Alessia Proietti)

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