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Manitoba residential school survivor, former grand chief among delegation to meet with Pope Francis

Phil Fontaine, residential school survivor and former National Chief, speaks at a signing ceremony in Winnipeg where The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada signed an agreement with the University of Manitoba today, Friday, June 21, 2013, entrusting the University of Manitoba to host a National research Centre on Residential Schools. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods Phil Fontaine, residential school survivor and former National Chief, speaks at a signing ceremony in Winnipeg where The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada signed an agreement with the University of Manitoba today, Friday, June 21, 2013, entrusting the University of Manitoba to host a National research Centre on Residential Schools. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
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WINNIPEG -

A former Manitoba Grand Chief and residential school survivor has been appointed to a delegation meeting with Pope Francis.

On Wednesday, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Manitoba Region announced it had appointed Phil Fontaine to be the province's representative on the First Nations delegation travelling to the Vatican to meet with the Pope in December.

“Mr. Fontaine will participate in discussions regarding reconciliation with First Nations for the role of the Catholic Church in the administration of the former Indian Residential Schools, and the need for an official apology from the Pope on behalf of the Catholic Church," AFN Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse said in a news release.

Fontaine was a former Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and three-time National Chief with the AFN. He has been involved with the 2006 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and has been speaking out for more than 30 years about his traumatic experiences at the Fort Alexander Indian Residential School.

The delegation of Indigenous leaders is set to be in Rome from December 17 to 20 to meet with Pope Francis.

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