She is a member of Heiltsuk First Nation in British Columbia, and her grandparents were one of those taken from her family decades ago.

She told CBC News on Monday: “I have a hint of anger and frustration, as well as sadness, sadness and numbness.”

Lansdowne is also the pastor of the First United Church of Inner City Ministry of United Church of Canada. In 1998, the United Church formally apologized for its role in operating a boarding school in Canada.

She said: “If we are dishonest about our role, I don’t think I can be the appointed pastor of the United Church of Canada.”

British Columbia’s Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation said on Thursday that preliminary results of a survey of the premises of the former boarding school in Kamloops showed the remains of 215 children-some of them as young as 3 years old. .

After the discovery, survivors, indigenous leaders and advocates, and faith leaders called on the Roman Catholic Church to apologize and take responsibility for the atrocities committed against children, families and communities in the boarding school system.

“As an indigenous minister, I am deeply distressed to see our universal partners not doing this work,” Lansdowne said.

According to the Indian Boarding School Survivors Association (IRSSS), the Roman Catholic Church is responsible for operating up to 70% of boarding schools. The United Church, Anglican and Presbyterian churches are all operating the remaining churches.

In the years since, the Roman Catholic Church is the only church that has not formally apologized.

“They have caused the greatest harm to many of our communities,” said Angela White, executive director of IRSSS.

An apology for the role of the Catholic Church in the boarding school system is also one of the calls for action by the Ministry of Education. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada.

This TRC confirmed the names of more than 4,000 children They died in a boarding school, and many more were unidentified or missing.

Church leaders responded

In response to the discovery of human remains, Richard Gagnon, chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Canada, issued a statement expressing grief over the loss of life.

He wrote: “To respect the dignity of the lost child, the truth must be revealed.”

The Archbishop of Vancouver J. Michael Miller also delivered a similar message. He said on behalf of the church: “We pledge to do our best to heal this pain.”

Watch | The Minister of Royal Relations with Indigenous Peoples called Kamloops tomb a “horrible discovery”:

Carolyn Bennett said the government will work with indigenous communities to find a culturally appropriate method to identify and remember the remains of the children. 0:53

Lack of apology

But critics say a key word is missing from these statements: “I’m sorry.”

The pastor and author of the Anglican Church, Pastor Michael Colum, is one of the most outspoken people since Kamloops discovered. Write a column Directly against the Catholic Church.

“Every church, almost every church in Canada, has been involved in this disaster,” he told the host Stephen Quinn on the CBC show. Early version. “And this should never be denied.”

“[The Roman Catholic Church] It will not promise to directly participate in these atrocities, because I think if it does, it will be afraid of financial and legal consequences,” he said.

The Association of Survivors has issued a call to action, similar to TRC, against the federal government and the Catholic Church. This includes the Pope’s recognition.

Speaking of healing, Angela White said it started with “sorry”, but true reconciliation requires continuous dialogue.

“We should hold them responsible for providing resources for the harm they cause, whether it is money or counseling, so that treatment can continue,” she said.

“When they are the ones who cause harm, we should not figure out how we will heal.”

Documents from an earlier version of CBC

Anyone affected by the boarding school experience and those affected by the latest report can receive support.

A nationwide Indian boarding school crisis hotline has been set up to provide support to former students and those affected. People can call the 24-hour national crisis hotline: 1-866-925-4419 for emotional and crisis referral services.