I was overwhelmed as we joined with those from Indigenous communities from across Canada who came to Muskwa Park in Maskwacis to hear Pope Francis apologize for the involvement of the Catholic Church in the residential school system.

Following generations of suffering, of trauma that our Indigenous people have endured, especially those that survived residential schools and those of families that had people who didn’t survive, to feel their emotion and courage throughout the ceremony and through the Pope’s words was something I needed to be here for.

We all need to be in this together - to work together toward strengthening the very fabric of who we are and find a way to contribute in any way we can to the healing process. That is what today was all about — people coming together and moving forward with hope and action.

Today was a strong example by Pope Francis and our Indigenous peoples on how to come together to try and heal. An example we can all learn from.