Quebec First Nations leaders call on Pope to visit sites of former residential schools during trip

First Nations leaders in Quebec say that Pope Francis's visit to the province's capital is an important step toward reconciliation but only if it's done right.

On Friday, the Vatican formally announced a visit by Francis to Canadafrom July 24 to 29, with three main stops in Quebec City, Edmonton and Iqaluit.

Chief Ghislain Picard of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is calling on the pontiff to visit the sites of formerresidential schools, saying his currentitinerary for Quebec is disappointing.

"We've maderepeated calls that the Pope takethe time to visit at least one of the sites where unmarked graves were discovered and well, so far, itdoesn'tseem to be in the plan," he said.

"To me, if a formal apology has to take place in Canada,then obviously it would be very significant that this happen on the site of one of those hundreds of schools that existed in the last century."

In a statement, the Vatican said it will work with Indigenous leaders when making plans to visit specific sites or communities,adding the Pope's mobility and health issues may play a part in the planning. More details will be released six to eight weeks prior to the papal visit, according to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Meanwhile, planning is underway for the Pope to visittheLac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage grounds, a designated national historic site locatedabout 75 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, and possiblyErmineskin Cree Nation,about 100 kilometres south of Edmonton.

A chance for healing, says residential school survivor

Quebec'sCatholic Archbishop Grald Cyprien Lacroixsaid the Pope's visit "will do good" and he welcomes it "with great joy."

"It is a pastoral visit where [the Pope]will come to continue the apology he has already made and made well at the Vatican, but above all to continue to listen and bring a message to say, 'we're continuing downthe road together, we will continue to walk together and look for ways to move forward,'" he said.

The pontiff initially announced his plan to visit Canada during a meeting on April 1 with First Nations, Inuit and Mtis delegates, who travelled to the Vatican to meet him.

That same day, he offered an initialapology for the actions of individual Roman Catholic Church membersin Canada's residential schools.

Archbishop Richard Smith, the co-ordinator of the papal visit to Canada, said he expects Francis to repeat that same apology during his visit in Canada.

For Armand MacKenzie, an Innu lawyer, First Nations activist and residential school survivor, the apology is a meaningful gesture.

"Personally, as a former resident, it's good news because it's a messageof reconciliation," he said.

Moreover,he said it's a chance forIndigenous people to find peace in relation tothe horrors that occurredatresidential schools.

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The Vatican has announced Pope Francis will visit Canada in late July, making stops in Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit. Some have expressed disappointment over his itinerary.

More than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools between the 1880s and 1996, and more than 60 per cent of the schools were run by the Catholic Church.

MacKenziesaid when the apology is offered, it will be up to Indigenous people to forgive, though many arestill working to heal from decades of scars and it will "likely takeyears to get to that point."

"These occasions are a chance for change, to speak aboutthese events, to tell storiesabout what each individual went lived through, and in my opinion, it will help externalize what Indigenous people experienced in Canada," he said.

SenatorMichle Audette, from the Innu community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam in Quebec andone of the five commissioners for the National Inquiry intoMissing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls,says the Pope's visit and apology on Canadian soilwill play a part in reconciliation.

"It's probably a chapter. Many of the people ask for that many decades ago. And from that, it's our responsibility for those that are alive today to make sure that the reconciliation .... will be alive in different ways," she said.

While Audettesaid she sharesPicard's disappointment about the Pope's travel plans in Quebec, she said this visit is just the first step, as thehealing process for victims and their loved ones is far from over.

"Accountability is importanttransparency, dialogue, truth is importantbefore we talk about reconciliation," she said.

"Let'senjoy, but let's make sure that the rest of us who are here every day, we acknowledge and [take] action."

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools or by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.