Image Credit: A.Donnelly / CFJC Today File

By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: A weekend of mixed emotions for Indigenous Nations

Jul 29, 2022 | 5:30 AM

AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS of COVID-enforced silence, the Kamloopa Powwow is back this weekend. The Celebration should be a joyous one but there will definitely be mixed emotions.

Pope Francis apologized for what he called the “evil” of the Residential School system. For many, it was well-received, for others it was not enough.

The Pope is on a “penitential” trip and there was no question of the sincerity of his words. He himself called it a “first step”. Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir called it a “pivotal point”. The B.C. Assembly of First Nations accepted the apology.

Some wanted more, but I don’t think that was realistic. Obviously the Church must do more, including turning over all documents related to student records.

Whether the Papal Bulls which provided the framework for colonization are ever rescinded is hard to say, and I’m not well enough versed to know exactly what that will accomplish.

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Since the last Powwow, over 200 potential burial sites have been identified on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc land. The Powwow takes place within view of the old Residential school itself.

As I say, memories will be mixed. And those memories are critical for reconciliation to occur.

We can never forget the atrocities that occurred within that system. But by acknowledging the evil, the Catholic Church has opened the door to move forward, and both the Church and Indigenous peoples can use that pivotal step to find new ground to discuss next steps and reparations.

So this weekend, let’s not forget the past, but let’s use this first step as the first of many steps into a new relationship that will allow true reconciliation to be accomplished. Only by efforts on both sides will that happen.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.