Pope's apology 'blanketed entire country with some hope,' Winnipeg residential school survivors say

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

Two Manitoba residential school survivors are filled with a sense of hope following Pope Francis' apology for the conduct of some members of the Roman Catholic Church involved in Canada's residential school system.

Following a week of talks with First Nations, Inuit and Mtis delegations, the Pope said he felt"sorrowand shame" for the conduct of those who ran the schools.

Mary Courchenefrom Sagkeeng First Nationspent 10 years atFort Alexander Indian Residential School. Her family's home was just a five-minute walk away, but she was allowed to see them only one hour on Sundays following high mass, and never went home.

"Those 10 years were fraught with loneliness. Loneliness for my parents who lived next door, my family who lived next door. It was terrible," she said.

Courchene said she took comfort in knowing they were home, even if she couldn't be there.

"I used to just look out the window of the dorm that we were on ... and I would see my little house. And if I saw my mom hanging clothes or my dad chopping wood, it would just give me a good feeling."

Listening to the Pope's words on Friday made her emotional; overwhelmed with conflicting feelings both of hope, but also remembrance of that dark time.

"I feel a real sense of relief, but it's not the end ... there's a lot of repentance to be had, and a lot of action must follow this apology from the head of the Catholic community," she said.

Fellow survivor Jennifer Wood, an Ojibway woman fromNeyaashiinigmiingFirst Nation in Ontariowho is now living in Winnipeg, is celebrating.

"My initial reaction was relief and a sense of hope.I don't know how I would have felt if he would have let down the survivors that traveled to Rome to seek an apology," she said in an interview with Marcy Markusa on CBC Manitoba's Information Radio on Friday.

"You could probably hear a sigh of relief and a lot of tears across this country from our First Nations survivors who have been standing by, watching, waiting, anticipating to hear the pope's apology. He just blanketed an entire country with some hope."

LISTEN | Jennifer Wood feels hopeful after Pope apologizes:

'I am very sorry': Pope Francis apologizes for abuses at residential schools

3 years ago

Duration 13:41

Saying he was 'deeply grieved by the stories of the suffering' experienced in residential schools, Pope Francis apologized to Indigenous delegates at a public audience at the Vatican.

But Wood needs him to visitCanadian soil to say those words again, which she hopes will lend more credence to what survivors have said for years.

"For him to come, it's going to bring a lot of validation ... It's going to start a new path down for reconciliation. It's going to open the eyes of other Canadians living in this country that they will definitely see that this was the truth, this did happen," Wood said.

"It's going to open up so many doors andso many hearts."

Apology 'nothing short of miraculous'

A number of local Indigenous organizations issued statements on Friday in light of the Pope's apology.

Manitoba KeewatinowiOkimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said it was "nothing short of miraculous."

"This apology opens the door for many people to truly begin the process of real healing," he said in a news release.

"Now begins the journey of genuine reconciliation. This work will not be easy. I ask all Canadians to stand in solidarity with us as we move forward."

WATCH |Pope Francis apologizesto Indigenous delegates for 'deplorable' abuses at residential schools:

Apology one step towards reconciliation, but 'it's not the end': Mary Courchene

3 years ago

Duration 2:54

Manitoba residential school survivors are filled with a sense of hope following Pope Francis' apology for the conduct of some members of the Roman Catholic Church involved in Canada's residential school system.

Manitoba Mtis Federation President David Chartrand said he was "relieved" to hear it. The MMF was not represented in Rome this week, but is meeting with His Holiness later this month.

The MMF left the Mtis National Council last year over membership issues with the Mtis Nation Ontario.

"I know many from our Nation have been waiting for this apology for many years," he said in a statement.

"It is our hope that this apology, combined with an exclusive meeting between Pope Francis and the Red River Mtis, will help begin the healing process and unite us on the journey of reconciliation and revitalization."

The head of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Stephanie Scott, said the apology marks the start of meaningful steps by the Churchto "take responsibility for its egregious actions, the effects of which are still felt across communities and generations today."

Meanwhile, the head of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs called it a "historic moment," but one that's bittersweet.

"More than 150,000 children werestolen from their homesandforced to attend residential schools between the 1880s and 1996: a number still raw to hear in the midst ofthisapologyand the thousands of unmarked graves being discovered," interim Grand Chief Eric Redhead said in a news release.

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.