Sask. bishops begin fundraising campaign for residential school survivors
Saskatchewan bishops are releasing more details about a province-wide fundraising campaign for residential school survivors.
The fund was first announced earlier this month following a renewed call by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations for the Catholic Church to honour a 2006 commitment to raise $25 million in compensation for its role in Canada's residential school system.
A website provides details about how to donate to the campaign. The bishops are working with survivors, elders and Indigenous leaders to determine fundraising priorities, according to a statement.
The priorities include healing and reconciliation, cemeteries on the sites of former residential schools as well as education and cultural support.
“The overall goal of this campaign is to support Residential School survivors and their communities, and to engage more deeply in our own ongoing commitment and response to the Truth and Reconciliation process,” five bishops wrote in an update to Catholics and the wider community on Tuesday.
The update was signed by Archbishop Donald Bolen of the Archdiocese of Regina, Bishop Bryan Bayda of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, Archbishop Murray Chatlain of the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and Bishop Stephen Hero of the Diocese of Prince Albert.
The campaign comes after hundreds of unmarked graves were found on the grounds of former residential school sites across Canada, including on Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan.
In a video posted to the campaign site, Archbishop Donald Bolen of the Archdiocese of Regina said he recognizes the long-lasting impact of residential schools on Indigenous peoples and the pain brought on by the discovery of unmarked graves at those sites.
"In recent weeks, we have heard a strong request for the Catholic Church to take ownership for its involvement in the schools, for wounds that have their origin there, that continue on in inter-generational trauma and in systemic injustice. It is our profound desire to do so, continuing past efforts and undertaking new initiatives of commitment and solidarity,” Bolen said.
The bishops said more details including the fundraising goal and time frame will be announced by September.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.