
The day of forgiveness
“I feel shame, pain and shame for the role that several Catholics, particularly with educational responsibilities, have had in everything that has hurt you, in the abuse and lack of respect for your identity, your culture and even your values spiritual. All this is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus." These are the words of Pope Francis for the indigenous people of northern Canada. Inuit, Metís and First Nations, they are words of forgiveness towards peoples who for over a century have suffered every type of oppression and abuse from members of the Catholic religion. Everything has happened in residential schools, they call it genocide: loss of identity, cancellation of belonging to one's roots, with consequent loss of cults, traditions and language, sexual abuse and consequent intergenerational trauma. These are words that many of these people, now in their eighties, present in Rome at the end of March 2022, have been waiting for for many years. It was a great pleasure to see them smile and dance.

David Pratt Muscowpetung First Nations-

Indigeni del Territorio del Nord Ovest suonano in piazza

Capo Roseanne Casimir, Palexelsia Lorelei Williams e Cecilia Point

Una delegazione dei Metis percorre via della Conciliazione a San Pietro

Parte della Prima Delegazione in Piazza S.Pietro dopo l'incontro con Papa Francesco-

Indigeni del Territorio del Nord Ovest suonano in piazza

Theland Kicknosway Kwakwaka'wakw


Parte della First Nations in Piazza S.Pietro dopo l'incontro con Papa Francesco- Gerald Antoine e Phil Fontaine e Marilyn Jensen-

Parte della Prima Delegazione in Piazza S.Pietro dopo l'incontro con Papa Francesco-Nella foto Rosalie La Billois, delegata dei giovani dell'AFN, del New Brunswich

Popoli indigeni in visita ai Musei Vaticani-Il luogo dove è custodito il raro kayak artico occidentale- Nella foto parte della delegazione Metis-

Parte della Delegazione in Piazza S.Pietro dopo l'incontro con Papa Francesco- Gerald Antoine (Inuit) e Phil Fontaine-

Kevin Haywahe della nazione Nakoda del Saskatchewan

il vescovo Donald Bolen balla in piazza S. Pietro con gli indigeni