Saskatchewan bishops launch fundraiser for residential school survivors

The Catholic Bishops of Saskatchewan are following through on a promise for concrete action for their role in the residential school system.

On Tuesday, five Catholic dioceses announced details about a provincewide fundraising appeal for support of residential school survivors and their communities.

The fundraiser was promised by the Roman Catholic Church earlier this month following the discovery of 751 unmarked graves on the Cowessess First Nation.

In the wake of that discovery, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) called on the church to honour its previous $25-million commitment to survivors and their descendants.

“This province has many wounds in its history, but this is the deepest,” Archbishop Donald Bolen of the Archdiocese of Regina said in a video.

“We want to do our part in the long journey of overcoming this legacy of suffering.”

The Archdiocese of Regina, the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon, the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, and the Diocese of Prince Albert are backing the appeal.

The bishops said in recent weeks they have heard a strong request for the church to take ownership, and the launch of the fund represents a commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation process.

“Conversations are already underway with survivors, elders, knowledge keepers, chiefs and communities. These conversations themselves are important steps forward,” Bolen said.

Priorities for the funds have been discussed with Indigenous leaders, and include healing and reconciliation, cemeteries on the sites of former residential schools, education and cultural support.

A timeline and fundraising goal will be announced in September, but donations are already being accepted online.