Presbyterians apologize

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At an annual general assembly in early October, the Presbyterian Church publicly confessed its sins against the First Nations.

"We regret that there are those who are deeply scarred by the mission and ministry of the Church..."stated the confession presented by Rev. Dr. George Vais, head of the church.

"With the assistance and encouragement of the Canadian government, children were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools."

On behalf of the First Nations of Manitoba, Assembly of Manitoba Chief Grand Chief Phil Fontaine received the confession which acknowledges the painful history of the Church's relationship with First Nations.

"The effects for First Nations was he loss of cultural identity and loss of parenting skills, which has continued to damage subsequent generations," Fontaine said.

Requesting full support from the United, Presbyterian and Anglican Churches, the church will paticipate in a project to set up residential treatment facilities.