Métis leader Dean Gladue and a delegate that attended Monday's event at the former Ermineskin Residential School outside Edmonton (Image Credit: Dean Gladue)

By Chad Klassen

POPE'S APOLOGY

‘They need to answer to their crimes’: Kamloops Métis leader calling for Vatican to open files to identify perpetrators

Jul 26, 2022 | 10:09 AM

KAMLOOPS — A local Métis leader says the Pope’s apology was appreciated, but elders are still digesting what it means and how to move forward.

Dean Gladue, the Métis regional director for the Thompson-Okanagan, travelled with a group of Métis people to the Ermineskin Residential School outside Edmonton.

He felt Pope Francis’ apology on Monday was sincere.

“What I keep hearing is two things: he said ‘I’m sorry.’ I think those are powerful words,” Gladue told CFJC Today. “Thousands of words have been said, and many words are being said here, but two words I heard were ‘I’m sorry.’ Of course, there are many victims and many perpetrators in this case. Many times, the victims want to hear directly from the perpetrator, but we know that’s not going to happen.”

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Gladue hopes now the formally apology has been said, many Métis people and other indigenous victims of residential schools can start their healing journey.

He also wants the Vatican to open its records to identify some of the perpetrators.

“So now, how do we go to the next step, and that’s one of them. Let’s open up the files of the Catholic Church and let the truth and reconciliation, look at it. We need the stories,” said Gladue. “I know a lot of the perpetrators are now passed on, and if there are any that are still alive they need to answer to need answer to their crimes. They need to answer to their crimes.”