Residential school survivors reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis | CBC News

CBC - 18:59
Survivors of residential schools reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis, and the steps they want to see next from the Catholic Church.

WARNING: This story contains details of experiences at residential schools.

The first time Piita Irniq was on a plane he was 11 and was taken more than 400 kilometres from his family and the only place he had ever known. 

"I left a little Inuit boy, all dressed up in Inuit traditional clothing, sealskin boots," said Irniq. 

He was taken from Naujaat, Nunavut, along with many other children and brought to Catholic-run Turquetil Hall in Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut, to attend school. 

"That same day, I became a little white boy," said Irniq. 

For more than 30 years, Irniq has sought justice from the Catholic Church for survivors of residential school, and was part of a delegation to Rome in 2009 to speak with Pope Benedict. 

A young Piita Irniq. When describing his residential school experience, Irniq says he was kidnapped right in front of his parents by a Roman Catholic priest in 1958. (Submitted by Piita Irniq)

But Pope Francis is the one that earned Irniq's respect. 

"He took a courageous move and ...
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