Residential school survivors in Winnipeg seek support at sacred fire gathering

As Pope Francis begins the second leg of his visit to Canada, residential schools survivors in Winnipeg are seeking support at a sacred fire gathering. Alex Karpa reports.

By Alex Karpa

Emotional support or assistance for those who are affected by the residential school system can be found at Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll-free 1 (800) 721-0066 or 24-hr Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419.


With Pope Francis’ visit and apology on Indigenous lands, residential school survivors in Winnipeg gathered to seek help and healing at a sacred fire.

The Pope’s visit to Canada is not only a historic one, but it can be triggering for many survivors as the stories of residential schools are brought to the forefront.

“I got triggered too, but I held on until yesterday,” said residential school survivor Christina Kitchekesik. “I cried and let it out. I felt better after. It’s OK to have those triggers as long as you acknowledge those triggers and let it go.

“It’s going to be a slow process, including the reconciliation part.”

Kitchekesik attended Guy Indian Residential School near The Pas, Man., for 13 years. She says it’s important for supports like the gathering at the sacred fire to exist to help survivors heal during the papal visit.

“This place where I am at, it is very safe and holistic and there’s a lot of support here,” said Kitchekesik. “If you get emotional or you need to talk to someone, they are here for you because they understand how you are feeling. There are medicines you can use, have a tobacco tie and pray to creator for strength to get you through what you are going through.”


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The Pope arrived in Edmonton on Sunday before travelling to Quebec City for the second leg of his tour of penance.

Wayne Mason, the executive director of the Wa-Say Healing Centre, says he has mixed feelings about the Pope’s visit to Canada.

“There are a lot of benefits (from his visit), but there is a lot of trauma around that, opening a lot of people’s wounds from residential schools, so there are pros and cons,” he said.

Mason says words are a step in the right direction towards reconciliation, but those words from Pope Francis have to be turned into real action – because without action, reconciliation will not be achieved.

“It’s a long-term effect,” said Mason. “Residential schools have closed, but it’s going to continue for generations. I’m a third generation of my grandparents, and we still feel the effects. I hope my kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, those effects will be filtered and become a lot better than I was as a parent and individual.”

Kitchekesik agrees, saying it’s time to start moving forward.

“One thing that kind of bothers me is that sorry part, because they have been saying sorry for so long,” she said. “Not much action was taken after, it seems to be in the same rut and now they have to take action.”

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