Ottawa is providing more than $35 million in funding for Indigenous communities to support activities related to the upcoming Papal visit.
Pope Francis is set to visit Canada between July 24th and the 29th, during which time he will visit Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit.
His itinerary during that time will focus on Indigenous activities, such as a visit to the Ermineskin Residential School south of Edmonton.
Just over $30 million is now being made available by the federal government in order to support Indigenous community-led initiatives during the visit.
Funding can be put towards the hosting of events, ceremonies, gatherings, and cultural activities, and to cover travel expenses related to the visit.
In addition, the money can go towards improving access to mental health supports and language and cultural revitalization activities for Residential School survivors.
Indigenous groups within the three regions being visited can access a further $3 million, and another $2 million will go toward translating the Pope’s comments into Indigenous languages.
As part of his visit, the Pope is expected to make an apology for the Catholic Church’s role in the Residential School Tragedy.
Pope Francis issued an apology when an Indigenous delegation visited Rome earlier this year, but most in attendence said it would mean more if it came on Canadian soil.
Comments