The Métis National Council (MNC) expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. We join Catholics around the world in mourning the loss of a spiritual leader who, through words and actions, demonstrated humility, compassion, and a genuine desire for healing and reconciliation.
Pope Francis will be remembered by many Indigenous Peoples in Canada for his historic 2022 apology to Métis, First Nations, and Inuit Survivors of residential schools. This moment marked a significant step forward in the long journey toward truth and reconciliation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Métis Nation.
In March 2022, a Métis delegation led by former President Cassidy Caron, traveled to the Vatican to share the truths of Métis residential school Survivors. The courage and resilience of our Survivors were met with empathy and a willingness to listen. On July 25, 2022, Pope Francis came to Canada and delivered a formal apology on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church for its role in the residential schools on Treaty 6 Territory in Maskwacîs, Alberta. This was a very powerful and emotional moment for many Métis in our communities.
Pope Francis’s 2022 apology will be remembered as a significant turning point in the relationship between the Métis Nation and the Roman Catholic Church. While many residential school Survivors continue to carry the weight of their experiences, Pope Francis’s words opened the door to healing. Reconciliation is not a destination, it is a lifelong journey. The Métis National Council hopes that the spirit of humility and accountability shown by Pope Francis will be carried forward by his successor, and that the path toward truth, justice, and healing will continue. We also hold the hope that the Council of Canadian Catholic Bishops, members of the clergy, and Catholics in Canada continue to move Pope Francis’s vision forward through continued engagement with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
The Métis National Council sends prayers to the Catholic community during this time of mourning. President Victoria Pruden remains committed to continuing the work of reconciliation and justice for Métis Survivors and their families.
-30-
Since 1983, the Métis National Council has been the national and international voice of the Métis Nation within Canada. Through national research and policy development, the MNC advocates to advance the rights and interests of Métis Governments, including the implementation of the Métis Nation's inherent right to self-determination and self-government. The MNC is committed to accountability and transparency within its operations, and to its relationships with its Governing Members and other partners.