Anglican Church visit could include stop at former Brantford residential school

A path to reconciliation with Indigenous communities continues with an Anglican visit to Canada, that may or may not include a stop at Canada’s longest-running residential school, the former Mohawk Institute in Brantford.

Executive Director of the Woodland Cultural Centre, Janis Monture says the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby is slated to tour the former Mohawk Institute Residential School on May 2nd, but the Anglican Church of Canada tells CHCH News that there are still negotiations going on with organizers and that the trip is currently not confirmed.

The Canadian Arm says the clerical leader will be in Canada from April 29th to May 3rd in an attempt to meet and listen to residential school survivors.

The former institution was run by the Anglican Church. A system designed to assimilate First Nations children, many who were subjected to abuse.

The Anglican initiative comes in the wake of the papal apology following a monumental meeting between Indigenous leaders and Pope Francis at the Vatican last week. The Catholic Church operated about 70% of the residential schools.

The Anglican Church of Canada did not give reasons why plans have not been finalized.

The chair of the Mohawk Chapel committee, who is organizing the visit responded to us adding, “until further discussion takes place, no comment…”

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa was at the site with survivors today. He hopes the scheduled visit is the first of many in Canada including Brantford.

The school’s history also prompted a ground search for unmarked graves on 500 acres of land. Authorities will continue their search for unmarked graves which is set to resume sometime this early spring. However, the Woodland Cultural Centre says the archbishop’s visit will not include a tour of these grounds.

Monture says if Welby shows up, she will be conducting the tour.