Tears, but no apology: Inside the meeting between Pope Francis and Métis survivors of residential schools
Cassidy Caron, Métis National Council president, was at meeting with Pope Francis
WARNING: This story contains distressing details
Pope Francis acknowledged the stories of residential schools survivors when he met with a Métis delegation at the Vatican Monday, but one attendee said he did not offer an apology.
Métis National Council president Cassidy Caron accompanied three survivors to Rome, where the Pope will meet three delegations this week to hear about the impact of residential schools in Canada.
Caron spoke to The Current's Matt Galloway about what happened at the meeting. Here is part of their conversation.
You have just finished meeting with Pope Francis. What did you and your delegation say to the Pope?
We spent the time that we had with Pope Francis really elevating the voices of our survivors, and we brought three Métis residential school survivors with us into the meeting, and the majority of the time that we spent with Pope Francis was them sharing their truth as survivors of residential schools, as Métis people.
WATCH | Métis elder desribes her residential school experience
And after those three shared their stories, I delivered a message on behalf of the Métis National Council and the Métis Nation, that we really had spent many months working on, throughout the time leading up to this trip.
What can you tell me about that message? What did you say directly to the Pope?
We invited Pope Francis to join us on our journey for truth, reconciliation, healing and justice. All of these pieces, the Métis Nation is already working on. And there is a role for the Pope to play. There is a role for the Catholic Church to play.
What did the Pope say back to you?
The Pope, he spoke back to us in his language — and there was a translator — and he acknowledged that he was listening to the stories of our survivors. He recognized who we are as Métis people, and some of the culture that he understands that we bring with us.
The only words that he actually spoke back to us in English was an acknowledgement of that invitation that we have given to him. And he spoke back to us in English, "Truth, justice and healing." And he said, "I take that as my personal responsibility." And so those were the words that he spoke back to us in English, on top of a lengthier statement from Pope Francis.
Was there an apology?
There was not an apology.
What would an apology mean to you?
I met with a number of survivors, Métis residential school survivors, to prepare for this trip. And many of our survivors are in different stages of their healing journeys. And some of them have told me that they're at the stage in their healing journey where they really need this acknowledgement from the Pope, from the Catholic Church, that they played a role in the harms and the wrongdoings to these children, to our families and to our communities. And that they're at this point in their healing journeys that they need this to be able to move on, to continue healing.
That's what I brought with me today, recognizing that that acknowledgement and that apology will support the healing of the nation.
Is your expectation that ... when Pope Francis does come to Canada, that perhaps an apology would follow then?
That's what we are hoping. We do have a commitment from Pope Francis that he will be travelling to Canada within the context of reconciliation. And it is during that time that we hope that he will be in front of our survivors and their families, and in our communities, and provide that apology and provide that acknowledgement.
WATCH | Métis National Council president Cassidy Caron describes meeting with Pope:
How would you describe the mood in the room? As you mentioned, the elders shared their stories and their truths, and the Pope listened.
It was heavy. Every time our survivors tell their truth, it is hard to hear. There were tears, but we are as Métis people very, very proud of who we are and where we come from. And when we left the meeting today, that's the feeling that we held on to.
You said you left the meeting feeling hopeful in some ways?
I do. And again, that just comes down to being reminded and being surrounded by our community members and our Métis elders and survivors. Their resilience is just so powerful, and to be with them and to hear their stories — and for them to be here and so courageous in telling their stories — it's hard not to be proud to be Métis, because they've gone through so much.
And for them to be here today and wanting to share their stories, that's because they love who they are. They love the Métis people. They love the Métis Nation. And being surrounded by that love, it gives me the passion to want to continue this work and see positive outcomes for our people.
Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools or by the latest reports.
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
Written by Padraig Moran. Produced by Ines Colabrese. Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
