After his apology, the Pope wore a traditional headdress gifted to him by an indigenous leader as a Cree honour song was sung in the background. The gesture is not without controversy in Indian country.
Pope Francis seen wearing gift of traditional headdress
“I see Pope Francis’s apology today only as a first step in the Church making amends with our people,” said Treaty 6 Grand Chief George Arcand Jr.
“After meeting with Pope and hearing his words, I believe there is a path forward together. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done”
During the address Monday, the Pope did acknowledge that an apology is only the first step. He said an important process will be to conduct a “serious investigation into the facts of what took place in the past and to assist the survivors of the residential schools to experience healing from the traumas they suffered.” However, he stopped short of naming any concrete actions.
Cindy Blackstock had a Post Apology To Do List already prepared:
Pope’s apology fell short on many fronts, says AFN national chief
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