CHIEF ROSANNE CASIMIR

APOLOGIES WERE A FIRST STEP – IT’S TIME TO REBUILD

Survivors and intergenerational survivors want healing, which will require investment in support

KÚKPI7 ROSANNE CASIMIR, OBC

Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc refers to the confirmation of 215 over a year ago as “Le Estcwicwéý” or “the Missing.” What proceeded was the start of a local, provincial, national and international reckoning of the harsh truths of the colonial practice of residential schools. People have a new awareness of the atrocities of residential schools and their impacts on our people.

The results of the ground-penetrating radar caused the retriggering of past trauma for so many, which was exacerbated by the COVID pandemic, opioid crisis and unprecedented climate change impacts, including wildfires and atmospheric rivers. This past year and a half have truly been challenging, emotional and painful for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

MY REFLECTION ON THE JOURNEY TO THE VATICAN I genuinely appreciate and thank the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) for allowing me to represent B.C. and 204 First Nations on the journey to the Vatican. For me, to take this journey to the highest level of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, was impactful and truly historical.

I went there representing our people with the hope of building meaningful steps towards reconciliation, while seeking justice. We wanted to bring honour and dignity to our children, who were literally cast aside at residential schools.

Our delegation brought forth four key areas for our presentation with the Pope. We spoke about residential schools and unmarked graves, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Papal apology and visit to Canada, and the importance of healing and reconciliation.

The Roman Catholic Church also needed to be held accountable for their role by fully disclosing their historic documents and mandating the local dioceses throughout the country to work with Indigenous communities to determine what is needed to heal. This work needs to start immediately, as we are losing our survivors and need healing for our survivors’ children and future generations to stop the intergenerational trauma.

At the Vatican, the Canadian delegation was able to experience the Pope apologizing firsthand. It was a sincere apology and was significant to the survivors that were in attendance.

The next apology from the Pope was on Canadian soil and it too was a good step forward. Many survivors had the opportunity to hear directly from the Pope as he apologized for the tragedies of residential schools. The Pope’s apologies were critical to our future relationship, but they can only be the first step in our ongoing work with the Roman Catholic Church.

What the survivors and intergenerational survivors want is healing and peace, and healing requires significant investment in support. The Government of Canada and the Roman Catholic Church spent billions of dollars destroying our languages and cultures. They need to commit to rebuilding. The Doctrine of Discovery needs to be repudiated as a racist document and the system of colonization needs to be addressed.

It is time for the real work to begin with the Roman Catholic Church and the federal government so that we can all shape a future that is truly healthy and prosperous, and grounded in pride for our culture and traditions.

Forgiveness is a personal choice, and it comes for individuals in their own way and time. Reconciliation is the action of living your best life and giving that opportunity to future generations.

I want us all to remember “Le Estcwicwéý.” We honour them and will continue to nurture and bring peace through truth, seeking answers and justice.

We will continue to move forward, as we still have quite a journey together towards reconciliation. Never forget: “Every Child Matters.” ç

Kúkpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir, OBC, is serving her second term as elected Kúkpi7/Chief of Tk’emlups te Secwépemc.

THE POPE’S APOLOGIES WERE CRITICAL TO OUR FUTURE RELATIONSHIP, BUT THEY CAN ONLY BE THE FIRST STEP IN OUR ONGOING WORK WITH THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH