Facts to be visited by Pope Francis, the site of the former residential school in Alberta

The Vatican City has provided details aboutPope Francis will visit Canada next month. The itinerary includes a stop at the formerHousing Schoollocation inMaskwasissouth of Edmonton.

Here are some facts about the Ermineskin Indian Residential School:

The school operated from 1895 to 1975 in what was then known as Hobbema, Arta. The name of the community has been changed to Maskwacis.

Read more: Pope Francis visits former Alberta Housing School while traveling to Canada: Vatican

It It was one of the largest housing schools in Canada.

In the early days of school, overcrowding and illness were problems. The National Center for Truth and Reconciliation recorded the deaths of 15 students during school operations. Three children died of tuberculosis in 1903, but a government survey in the 1920s concluded that 50% of students were infected with tuberculosis.

School survivors are physically abused by the Truth Reconciliation Commission for speaking their native language and practicing traditional rituals. Said it was done. One survivor said she was sacrificed by staff and her students.

Trend Story

In 1969, the federal government took full responsibility for the facility.

Read more: Pope Francis visits a housing school during a trip to three Canadian cities: Archbishop

Housing was closed in the early 1970s and the educational facility was Ermineskin Cree Nation.

First Nations began a survey of the old school building last summer using ground penetrating radar to look for possible unmarked tombs.

Read more: Treaty 6, Alberta's Metis State welcomes Pope Francis' visit as part of the reconciliation

The Pope's visit is set to begin in Edmonton on July 24th and end in Iqaluit on July 29th. increase.

Pope Francis is expected to apologize for the role of the Roman Catholic Church in housing schools during his trip to Canada.

Pope Francis will arrive in Edmonton on July 24th for a brief ceremony at the airport. The next day, he will join the survivors of Armine Skin Indian Residential School.

Francis will also visit the Sacred Heart Church of First Peoples, an indigenous church in downtown Edmonton on July 25th. The church was recently restored after the 2020 fire.

The next day, Francis will attend a major mass at the Commonwealth Stadium, home of the Edmonton Elks CFL football team. It is open to the public and can accommodate about 65,000 people.

The deities are supposed to go to Lac Ste. Ann of the night when a large-scale pilgrimage is held every year.

The Pope will then travel to Quebec City on July 27th.

© 2022 The Canadian Press