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By Dylana Kneeshaw

RECONCILIATION

Tk’emlúps leadership disappointed Pope won’t be visiting, hoping future arrangements can be made

May 13, 2022 | 4:27 PM

TK’EMLUPS — It’s been a year of wondering whether Pope Francis will make an official visit to the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School and this week, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc leadership got an answer.

The Holy See Press Office announced Friday (May 13) that the Pope will be travelling from July 24-30, and is set to visit Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit.

“I am very appreciative of his holiness Pope Francis’ decision to come to Canada on July 24th, I am also disappointed by the decision not to come to Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc,” Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir told reporters at a media availability Friday afternoon.

The former school site on Secwepemc lands garnered international attention in 2021, after the band announced ground-penetrating radar had detected more than 200 targets of interest, believed to be the unmarked graves of students who never made it home.

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“While we understand the vastness of Canada and the need to make the trip to Canada manageable for him, it is really unfortunate that he will not have the opportunity to come to the former Kamloops Indian Residential School — the largest residential school in the country.”

Kúkpi7 Casimir says she was hoping the Pope would be able to come to the local area to address the community and offer more words of apology and reconciliation.

“My hope is for justice and reconciliation so that First Nations across Canada can find a way to work with the Catholic Church so that we can truly walk on the healing path together for our children and future generations. I seek unity, peace and hope for our people.”

The chief says she would welcome a meaningful visit from the Pope at any time and the band is still hoping arrangements can be made.

Casimir recognizes the travel and accessibility limitations of someone in their elder years — Pope Francis is 85 — but notes that Tk’emlups is situated near major highways, the Kamloops Airport, and has the ability to work with the City of Kamloops to find an alternative site for a large crowd to gather.

“I haven’t ruled anything out as of yet. I’m going to hold out a bit of hope, but I also know that he does have some limitations in his mobility.”

Casimir adds that she would like to see First Nations from B.C. be able to at least attend and participate in the visits to the other cities.