According to the Assembly of First Nations national chief, the upcoming delegation to the Vatican has been postponed due to concerns over the new Omicron Covid-19 variant.
RoseAnne Archibald made the announcement during her opening address at the AFN assembly currently underway.
“The health and wellbeing of our delegates, their families, and communities is paramount to us and we will not put anyone in harm’s way if we can help it,” Archibald told the delegation following the announcement.
The National Chief says they will still be seeking reparations from the church, which include returning Diocese lands back to First Nations and investments in long-term healing initiatives beyond the $30 million dollars previously announced in September.
“Over 100 years of church efforts have resulted in the destruction of the social fabric of First Nations,” said Aarchibald. “Now equal time, energy, and resource must be made available to rebuild our children’s lives, our families, and our communities.”
In June it was announced that the Canadian Council of Bishops and national Indigenous organizations, including the A-F-N, would send delegates to meet with Pope Francis.