Content Warning: The following story may be distressing.
The Archbishop of Canterbury twice apologized this weekend for the Anglican Church’s role in Canada’s residential schools.
The spiritual leader of the Anglican church visited James Smith Cree Nation on Saturday where he heard stories of several residential school survivors.
After hearing their stories, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby apologized for the role the church he represents played in these stories.
“I am more sorry than I could ever begin to express,” said Welby.
The archbishop again would meet with Indigenous people on Sunday where he heard more stories from survivors and offered an additional apology to those gathered at Exhibition Hall in Prince Albert.
“It was the church that permitted it, that allowed it, that turned a blind eye to it, and still does sometimes,” Welby said. ” Building hell and putting children into it… I am more sorry than I could say.”
Welby thanked those who shared their stories saying it must not have been easy.
“I want to recognize what you are willing to undergo, so your story is heard.”
PAGC Grand Chief responds
In a conversation with MBC News, Prince Albert Grand Council Chief Brian Hardlotte says he believes the apology was genuine, but says it is up to each individual survivor to accept the apology.
“I think it is an important step in reconciliation,” said Hardlotte. “It meets the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action – what the Anglican church is doing.”
While the PAGC Grand Chief says these apologies are important acts of reconciliation he, along with many other Indigenous leaders, believe actions must follow.
“It doesn’t stop here,” Hardlotte told MBC News. “There has to be more than an apology. It has to go on into the future because the intergenerational trauma of residential schools goes on. It has to be more than words”
Chief Hardlotte believes the work forward involves the implementation of all 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by both churches and governments.
Archbishop of Canterbury promises action
Following his apology, the archbishop promised action saying he wants to “under promise and overdeliver.”
The Anglican church previously apologized for its role in residential schools in 1993 and 2019 and has provided over $12 million in compensation. However, Welby admits more needs to be done.
Welby told reporters he hopes to see action coming from the Anglican church in the next few months, but says any form of financial compensation may take more time.
Now that his stops on James Smith Cree Nation and Prince Albert have concluded the Archbishop will end his Canadian visit in Toronto on Monday.
His visit has come alongside the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church, which is being hosted by the Diocese of Saskatchewan.
This weekend’s apology from the Anglican Church comes weeks after Pope Francis apologized to an Indigenous delegation in Rome. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Canada sometime this summer.
(PHOTO: Justin Welby the Archbishop of Canterbury offers support and a prayer to a residential school survivor who shared her story at an event in Prince Albert. Photo by Joel Willick.)
Support is available for anyone affected by the lingering effects of residential school and those who are triggered by the latest reports. A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for residential school survivors and others affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.