Walking together

At the conclusion of Pope Francis’ long ‘penitential pilgrimage’ to Canada, the first words that where spoke publicly come to mind: “It is a great honour to welcome you among us. You have travelled a long way to be with us on our land, and to walk with us on the path of reconciliation”. It is Chief Wilton Littlechild speaking, one of the elders of the Cree tribe. His name is Usow-Kihew, which means “Golden Eagle”. He is a former student of the Ermineskin Residential School and a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They had already met in April at the Vatican, and it was he who, on 25 July, in Maskwacis, welcomed the Pope as he began his Apostolic Journey. Golden Eagle was there throughout the trip, until the final leg in Québec. At all the meetings and events, his presence was discreet and tenacious. A living icon ...