Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

July 31, 2022

Women holding cradleboards asked to leave meeting with Pope Francis


Protective baby carriers meant to represent children who died at residential schools


By Emilie Warren
CBC News
July 29, 2022

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

Indigenous women who were carrying cradleboards that they had intended to present to Pope Francis during a private meeting with residential school survivors were asked to leave the room before the pontiff entered.

The event had been scheduled as a moment for survivors from Eastern Canada to meet with the Pope in person at the archbishop's residence on Friday morning in Quebec City, a few hours before the pontiff's departure to Iqaluit.

Jonel Beauvais, a Kanien'kehá:ka Wolf Clan member from Akwesasne, said that while she was able to stay, she had to go to the back.

"They said that they only wanted survivors and not their supporters. So I'm not quite sure why you would invite supporters if they're not allowed to be in the room with the survivors," she said.

Read the full article at CBC

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