Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse issued the below statement today in response to calls from provincial MLP Nahanni Fontaine for a public apology and removal of a Winnipeg Catholic priest following a recent comments suggesting many residential school survivors had positive experiences in residential schools and that some have fabricated stories to receive compensation.
“I stand with residential school survivors and families in Winnipeg and across Manitoba region in seeking justice and healing for the genocide against our people through the residential school system,” said AFN Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse. “The comments made by Catholic priest Rhéal Forest are inexcusable and a stark reminder of how far we still need to go on our path to reconciliation. First Nations have shown great courage and strength in sharing their stories and truths. That should be commended, not questioned. There is no place in this country for continued
discrimination, racism and denial. I support the calls for a public apology and for Rhéal Forest to lose his priesthood.”
It has been reported that statements by Rhéal Forest were made over a series of services on and around July 10, 2021 at St. Emile Roman Catholic Church in Winnipeg and were included in videos on the church’s Facebook page, now removed. Forest has been banned by a Manitoba archdiocese and Archbishop Albert LeGatt from preaching or teaching publicly.
