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HB NEWS ‘ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS’ HALTON INDIGENOUS GROUP MEMBER SPEAKS OUT ABOUT POPE'S APOLOGY KYLE G. MACDONALD kymacdonald@ metroland.com When Pope Francis made a historic apology to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada for the Catholic Church's role in forced as- si ition and residential schools, he humbly asked for their forgiveness. "I humbly beg forgive- ness for the evil committ by _so_ many Christi: the e undigenous Peo- It reveals how deep the wounds are felt. Similarly, the apology was likea re-traumatization for Jody Harbour, an urban Indigenous resident of Hal- ton and randm« vances healing and knowl- edge. "It's like he is pol sharp object into the raw tis. sue of an open wound,” Har- bour said. "I have been a proud Indigenous woman my whole life. I ner held the shame that many inherited. My father yoiners that pain for my siblings and me.” of poe has as spent most with Halton eee Indigenous communities, advocating and listening to residential school survivors and their families. But after she heard the Pope's apology, her first feeling was exhaustion in her body and a "heaviness" "We are so past words," Harbour said as she felt the KEEP YOUR AN ALL YEAR ROUND * «KCC ASAT HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING casatineatingandair.com Voice, didn't think much of Pope Canada's Indigenous Peoples. apology was not enough. She described the inci- dent asa selfish gesture by attention to the proverbial saying, "Actiot ions speak loud- er than words." "The apology contains words that may have mean- ing to the person delivering Jody Harbour photo Jody Harbour, co-founder of the Halton-based Grandmothers Francis’ recent apology to the message. But did he think about the impact it would have on the people who are healing from the pain?" she said. When asked whether the Catholic Church could have “We are in a significant time of awareness and healing for the original people of these lands and a Nation founded on this truth.” residential school survivors in need. “The Catholic Church can contribute to the heal- ing of our Nation," she said. “A financial contribution to some type of economic sov- ereignty of survivors so they can ensure a path to healing for their lineage is what I could see possible." Harbour believes thereis still hope for healing in this time, and although she was disappointed the apology was hot accompanied. further effort, she thinks it beginning stages of learning and remembering this hor- rible story. Everyone is on a a Fy 3 a v i Zz - Jody Harbour their own perso! 220 ‘W ysnBny ‘Aepsuny | ive and words of healing in he also feels the social climate in Canada is better prepared to understand the truth of our country's histo- ry, which includes the griz- dren, instances of sexual abuse, cultural shame, and the murder of Indigenous wom But despite Canada's for the original people of ese lands and a Nation founded on this truth." SyA\Y| =] Be ke) $4000* *Subject to availability. Terms & Conditions apply. Call Today! (905) 460-4023