Statement
May 13, 2022

UBCIC Deeply Disappointed Pope’s Visit Ignores BC First Nations

(Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – May 13, 2022) This morning, the Pope announced he will be touring Canada in July with stops in Edmonton, Quebec and Iqaluit.

First Nations in British Columbia have a profound sense of disappointment that after all of the efforts to have the ongoing trauma and concern over missing children and unmarked burials at the Catholic operated residential schools, there will be no visit to any of those sites. The invitation by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc to visit Kamloops Indian Residential School was supported by the UBCIC and all First Nations peoples, and non-Indigenous peoples. We urge a reconsideration of the itinerary and the addition of another stop on this important trip.

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Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 250-813-3315
Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer, c/o 778-866-0548

UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca

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