'Say it where it happened': Inuit residential school survivor looks to papal apology

Warning: This story discusses details of abuse in residential schools. 

It won't be easy for Piita Irniq, a residential school survivor, to meet Pope Francis in Iqaluit next week.

"It's going to be scary," said Irniq, who was abused by a nun at the age of 11 as a student at the school in Chesterfield Inlet in what is now Nunavut.

"It's going to be awesome to see the Pope because he was made out to be the very authority of the Roman Catholic Church. A lot of things will be going through my mind."

He'll welcome Pope Francis. But Irniq, on behalf of all Inuit who were taken to residential schools, will have a few things to say as part of the official delegation meeting the pontiff.

"I'm going to say what happened to us."

He doesn't mince words. He calls what happened kidnapping and rape.

And a simple papal apology, no matter how heartfelt, isn't going to be enough.

"His church is very rich. He should be providing money for loss of culture, loss of language."

A fraught relationship

That's not all.

Irniq, along with many other Inuit, believe the Catholic Church could do more to make priests who abused children in Inuit communities face justice. At least one former priest facing charges in Canada, Johannes Rivoire, remains in France.

While many Inuit remain devout Christians and Catholics, the church has a fraught relationship with Arctic people.

Between 1955 and 1969, at least 324 children were taken from their parents and sent to live at the Catholic-run Turquetil Hall while they attended Sir Joseph Bernier Day School in Chesterfield Inlet.

As well, dozens of children were abused by priest missionaries in Inuit communities — memories that are still so raw that when one priest finally faced trial in 2014, someone in one of his former communities burned down the local church.

"It feels as though it happened yesterday," said Irniq.

Irniq's voice tapers into silence when he describes a nun's crucifix swinging overhead as he was being abused in a bathtub.

"I felt absolutely powerless."

A life of leadership

Irniq used the education he received at such great cost to fight that powerlessness. He became an Inuit leader, helped negotiate the Nunavut Land Claim and eventually became Nunavut's second commissioner.

Today, he's a cultural teacher. He built the Inukshuk at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and has installed the Inuit symbols from Argentina to Juno Beach in France.

But Irniq still wants an acknowledgment of what was done to him and so many others.

Inuit were part of a delegation of Canadian Indigenous leaders who received an apology at the Vatican earlier this year. Hearing that apology in Iqaluit is more important, he said.

"Rome is Rome. It's 4,000 miles away. Say it right here where it happened, where there was cultural genocide. Say it right here to survivors, our parents. It's going to make a difference."

Sold out hotels, new street

Pope Francis is scheduled to be in Iqaluit for four hours Friday.

City officials say hotels are nearly sold out.

Iqaluit has renamed one of its major roads for the visit. Federal Road, along which Francis will travel as he heads to Nakasuk School, is now called Sivumugiaq Street.

In honour of survivors like Irniq, it means "moving forward."

That's Irniq's hope for the Pope's visit — not just for Inuit, but all Canadians.

"It's a really hard topic to talk about, but it has to be said. It is also a part of Canadian history," he said.

"It's going to be a monumental visit, not just for myself. (The Pope) coming right to the heart of the crux of the matter."

Support is available for anyone affected by residential schools, and those who are triggered by the latest reports.

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) can be contacted toll-free at 1-800-721-0066.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

In addition, the NWT Help Line offers free support to residents of the Northwest Territories, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is 100% free and confidential. The NWT Help Line also has an option for follow-up calls. Residents can call the help line at 1-800-661-0844.

In Nunavut, the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line is open 24 hours a day at 1-800-265-3333. People are invited to call for any reason.