Warning: Some details in this story may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
in a week Pope Francis As part of his visit to Canada, he will be in Quebec City to apologize to indigenous people for mistreatment at the hands of the Catholic Church.
Although thousands of places have been reserved for Residential school Survivors who want to meet the pontiff, many of the abused people say they have no interest in seeing him.
Ruth Loft, a residential school survivor in the Mohawk community of Kahnawa, said, “The Pope saying ‘I’m sorry’ doesn’t take away the pain and suffering that happens in schools like what happened to me: K on Montreal’s South Coast.
Her memories of her time in residential school are often too hard to bear.
Early rise for those attending the papal mass near Quebec City during their visit to Canada
At the age of five, the Mi’kmaq elder was moved from his parents’ Nova Scotia home to the Sipecana’atic First Nation, also known as Indian Brook, and to live at the former Shubenacadie Indian Residential School until the age of 12. was forced.
Every spring there was relief when he saw the dandelion in bloom and was sent home for the summer.
“There were some symbols that I saw that made me think ‘Oh, I’ll be home very soon,'” she told Global News of the Flowers.
Going home meant respite from the mistreatment she had been subjected to in the institution. night and day.
“Beating is all I knew,” she explained. “Religion and Killing.”
That said, for the simplest things – even speaking her Mi’kmaq language.
Loft explained that her culture was taken away from her and she was treated less than human beings.
“They even gave me a number,” she insisted. “I was number one there. My number was seven. I don’t remember whether they called me by my name or by my number.”
That is why she will not be able to see the Pope, who is coming to Canada in the spring after apologizing at the Vatican, for the grave and lasting harm suffered by Catholic school staff.
Other residents of Kahnawa:K, such as Tekrontec of the Wolf Clan who went to Indian Day School, argue that forgiveness doesn’t go very far.
“What we want from him, we want a confession,” he insisted, an acknowledgment of all the damage done to the church.
“Show me something,” Quety: Ios of the Bear Clan told Global News. His mother also attended Indian Day School. “Show me what you’re going to do and it’s a step. (Apologize) There are no steps.”
Loft believes a genuine apology would help, but agrees more — and much more — is needed.
Catholic diocese failed to raise the promised funds from survivors in the past. Are they now?
She still wears a crucifix around her neck but refuses to set foot inside a church.
“I don’t know,” she laughed when asked about the religious symbol. “It relaxes me. Maybe because residential school still has an effect on me.”
Loft said she believes in the Creator and prays that the Church will do something worthwhile.
The Indian Residential School Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.
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