For those who do not know, Residential Schools were put in place to assimilate the Native population into ‘White’ culture. They stripped away traditions, our language, our sense of pride. But worst of all many children in these schools were abused, some physically, some sexual and all emotionally.

I am a result of Residential Schools, my mother went to one. And yes this may sound strange, but the last Residential School closed in the Eighties. Yes, the Eighties. My mom as much as she will not talk about it all, is assimilated; she is super religious and will not talk about Native things. She refused to listen to my beliefs in Native Spirituality. And when she passes refuses to have a potlach (a traditional goodbye in Northern Tutchone culture)

When I was young, I refused to tell people I was Native. If my mom wasn’t proud why should I be?

It wasn’t until later in life, that I learned and saw my Culture. I felt it deep in my heart and soul and never looked back.

I am a result of the after effects of Residential Schools, and I am one of the lucky ones who didn’t get the full effects of the cycle of abuse and violence.

Many people think that Natives are a waste of Tax payers money, and would like to see us stop ‘complaining about everything’.

But they don’t understand the severity that years of repression has brought us to.

It has affected many parts of our lives.

In 2008, the Prime Minister of Canada Steven Harper (boo) apologize to Residential School Survivors and the ones that have now passed on.

“The treatment of children in Indian residential schools is a sad chapter in our history. Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country.”

The Canadian Government also issued monies to Residential School survivors.

I was in Winnipeg when the apology was aired. I was going to school there and my wonderful teacher/mentor Lisa Meeches, stopped our classes so that we could watch. I had tears in my eyes, I cried for all of our ancestors would could not see this historical moment happen. Was it the most sincere thing Mr. Harper has ever done? No, but he did it. He did it for political reasons, but at least it happened.

That day will always be seared in my memory.

Yesterday, the Catholic Church came into the picture. The Catholic Church were the ones to start residential schools, the Canadian Government enforced them. The abuse was done by many of the nuns and bishops. Yesterday the Pope issued an statement about the Residential Schools in Canada.

He never officially apologize, which was not surprising. (But as a religious person isn’t one of the things to asks for forgiveness when you do something wrong?)

I am just wondering about the timing of all of this, did they apologize after the Canadian Government did all of the pay-outs so that the richest entity in the World would not get sued?

Don’t get me wrong I am glad that this has happened, and I hope that the people who have suffered from Residential Schools get a little bit of healing from this.

My heart and prayers go out to my people.