‘Please stay home’: Alberta First Nations chiefs urge protesters to avoid Pope’s visit

Amid reports that so-called freedom convoy protesters are planning to interrupt the Pope’s visit to Alberta, some First Nations chiefs are pleading with demonstrators to stay away.

The Chiefs of Maskwacis have put out a statement, saying the papal visit is meant to be a time of reconciliation and healing for residential school survivors.

“On behalf of our community, we request that Freedom Convoy protestors planning to attend the apology to please stay home or find a place to protest that is not in our territory,” the statement from the chiefs reads, in part, referring to the July 25 event during which Pope Francis is set to apologize.

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Chiefs of Maskwacis calling on Freedom Convoy members planning to attend and protest the papal apology in the community to stay away and find somewhere else to protest.

They say the Freedom Convoy attempts to take over FN initiatives distracts from events. #Yeg #yyc pic.twitter.com/I24tfDyiAH

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) July 22, 2022

“The attempts from the Freedom Convoy Demonstration to try to take over First Nations initiatives distracts from these important events. We ask for all protestors to respect our Survivors. This is a time for truth, reconciliation and healing.”

Pope Francis is arriving in Canada on Sunday as part of a multi-day trip. He is set to begin in Edmonton.

The papal visit has been highly anticipated, as survivors of residential schools look toward a path of reconciliation after decades of trauma.

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“Your agendas do not have a place at these events, and we wish that you respect our Territories, our community, and other First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples’ opportunity for healing,” the chiefs’ statement added Friday.

“We have not been contacted by protest organizers, nor do we extend an invitation to host them on our lands.”

Pope Francis’ trip comes after he met with Indigenous representatives earlier this year at the Vatican. At the time, he made a historic apology for the abuses inflicted at church-run residential schools in Canada.

In addition to Edmonton, the Pope is also set to stop in Quebec City and Iqaluit. His Canada trip wraps up on July 29.

–With files from Adeline Gladu