Welcome to the Citadel of Quebec, Holy Father.

My husband Whit and I are honored to welcome you and join the ranks of survivors, elders, leaders, knowledgeables, diplomats, dignitaries, former commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and everyone watching from coast to coast.

I want to thank the First Nations that have lived in this region for millennia for welcoming me to their traditional and covenant land.

(in French)

No matter where you listen from, whether here in the Citadel or elsewhere in Canada, you are on Aboriginal land. It is important to accept this.

Holy Father, thank you for your visit to Canada, which you have described as a “pilgrimage of penance.” We gather in this historic citadel where stories are told and ideas are exchanged.

Your journey is a sign to the world that you and the Roman Catholic Church are joining our journey of reconciliation, healing, hope and renewal.

It started in Muskavasis where we saw two realities. First, there was the suffering and suffering of the survivors, a community of people who have suffered for decades. Indigenous people are forced to live with policies that rob them of their cultures, languages, and spiritual beliefs and practices. Survivors who carry the trauma of their boarding school experience with them every day.

But these people, these survivors cannot be defined. They are the parents who defended their children while no one else did. They are advocates who have fought for their languages ​​and cultures and are still fighting so that they can live on for generations to come. They are artists who express their stories through their music, dance, culture and language.

Proud of you all. You are all strong.

Holy Father, you have come to listen with an open heart and an open mind, some ready to forgive, others still living with suffering, but all ready to listen. All hope that his medical journey continues.

(in French)

Indigenous peoples have shown the world – and continue to show us – that despite the challenges they face, they will face them with respect and determination.

I recognize and appreciate what Indigenous communities have achieved through this week’s visit. It is Aboriginal people who worked, waited and prayed for forgiveness on Aboriginal lands in Canada.

You never give up. We must remember that we are here today because of his courage and tenacity. Pope, your efforts are making Canada a stronger nation.

(on Inuktitut)

You never give up. We must remember that we are here today because of his courage and tenacity. Pope, your efforts are making Canada a stronger nation

It is our shared duty to remember what happened in boarding schools, to tell the stories of survivors and those who didn’t make it home, and to support and advise those who did.

…help in the form of mental health resources. Helping families uncover the true fate of those who never made it home.

… and advising indigenous peoples, who need the time and space to process what this journey means to them and what the next steps should be.

As you indicated, His Holiness, this is an important step towards further dialogue and action that will lead to a real reconciliation. We look forward to hearing more about the future work of the Church in continuing this important work.

On Monday you visited the Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples in Edmonton. There you said that reconciliation is “the grace to be sought”. To this I would add that reconciliation is a grace that must be earned through constant hard work and understanding.

This work is the responsibility of all of us. This is our sacred responsibility.

(French)

There is a time for everything. We are ready.

There has been a big change in our thinking in Canada. Now is the time for reconciliation in the history and consciousness of our country. As we address this issue and the future health and well-being of Indigenous communities, I am confident that each of us will promote healing.

In Inuktitut “to heal” is mamisagnik. Mammysagnik is a journey, not a destination. He needs time It starts slowly, slowly and carefully. She follows her own path, which leads us forward, but also allows us to go in many other directions.

(in French)

In Inuktitut “to heal” is mamisagnik. Mammysagnik is a journey, not a destination. He needs time It starts slowly, slowly and carefully. She follows her own path, which leads us forward, but also allows us to go in many other directions.

Eventually, healing takes us beyond powerlessness, anger, or pain. It takes us beyond the trauma.

It renews our mental, spiritual and physical health. I have experienced it.

I have experienced healing through art, through community, through kindness, through generosity, through language, culture and identity revitalization.

Holy Father, I know that long after leaving Canada you will be listening and you will hear not only about the struggles and pain of these communities, but also how proud they are of being Indigenous, their resilience and the How to Contribute to Canada and the World. Take these stories home, share them, and keep finding ways to reach our communities and work together to heal them.

I am very much looking forward to what I have seen so far in this journey. Canada looks forward to working with the Holy See on reconciliation as well as many other global issues such as promoting peace and education, breaking down barriers, fighting poverty and disease, and restoring trust. Thank you for your efforts.

And I thank all Canadians for listening to and responding to the call for reconciliation.

(in French)

Thank you to all Canadians for listening and listening to the call for reconciliation.

(on Inuktitut)

I thank all Canadians for listening to and responding to the call for reconciliation.

Holy Father, I wish you the best of luck on your journey.

May the Creator bless us all.

(Vatican News – SKR)