Oblates still don't want to pay their fair share

On July 13, 2021, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) hosted a panel of academics speaking on children who went missing from Indian Residential Schools. Through the moderator, I was able to ask the NCTR’s Head of Archives, Raymond Frogner, to comment on the NCTR - Oblates Joint Statement regarding disclosure of records (see videorecording, starting at 58:201).

In recent updates, we highlighted several shortcomings of the Joint Statement as far as requiring the Oblates to come clean about their Indian Residential Schools. In his answer to our question, Mr. Frogner revealed another shortcoming for the first time: under the Joint Statement the Oblates are unprepared to pay their share of the costs of processing and sharing records of their operation of Indian Residential Schools with the NCTR.

Here’s my transcription of the Q & A:

"Moderator: We have an additional question — 'I’m hoping that the archivist might comment on the Oblates’ Joint Statement regarding disclosure of records as far as the Dead and Missing Children project is concerned, especially in light of the discovery of unmarked graves.'

"Raymond Frogner: Right, that’s a good and very vital question. Since the Kamloops announcement, we have been in discussion with the Oblates on the question of the records that document the history of residential schools and the Oblates Order’s involvement in the operations of those schools. We had multiple meetings, where we were finally able to conclude with them that the Oblates would make available, accessible, all of the records they hold that are related to residential school history. So that includes the Codex historicus, the photographs, staff records, all kinds of documents that they, any kind of document that they hold.

"So, that is the reason why we made that public statement, to make sure that there is a public announcement, not just a legal agreement, but also public recognition that they have agreed to open all of their records in all of the sites.

"So, since then, we’ve been working with several different other repositories – the Société historique de Saint-Boniface, for example, where we’re making plans to now identify, arrange, describe, and digitize so that they can be brought into the NCTR, all the records that still exist that have not been acquired for this kind of research.

"But, I must add to that one important detail. We have now received the Oblates’ sanction to acquire these records, to make copies, and acquire them, but we still don’t have an agreement on who’s paying for it. At the moment, we have graciously agreed to cover the costs, because we recognize the value of getting copies and making these records accessible, particularly given the urgency of the times that we’re living in right now. But, given the fact that we recognize that the Catholic Church — not the Oblates — but the Catholic Church themselves never did follow through on their agreement to pay the money that they agreed to in the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, I think this might be a good opportunity for the Catholic Church administration to step forward and open up their wallets, recognizing the cost of making these digital copies available at the NCTR.

"So, I think that’s where we stand with the Oblates. But, it should be pointed out that there’s lots of different other records that we have yet to acquire. Coroners’ Reports from the various provincial governments, the statistical analysis of the IAP reports, which we’re still in court with Canada to try to acquire, Vital Stats records from various provinces, these are all important records that help us to tell the story of the loss of these children."

We applaud the NCTR's decision to agree to cover the costs of implementing the Joint Statement in order finally to acquire these records of the Oblates' operation of Indian Residential Schools.

We are also share Mr. Frogner's frustration with the Catholic Church's failure to meet its financial commitments to the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, but question whether these monies — were the Catholic Church ever to come through — should be used to fund any part of the Oblates' agreement with the NCTR.

In contrast to the Joint Statement, we are petitioning the Oblates to publish and resource a plan, including tasks, responsibilities, timelines, and budget, to complete a review of any record of their involvement in Indian Residential Schools, including any record that they have lost, destroyed, or transferred elsewhere, and to provide a certified copy of any record to the NCTR.

Thanks once again for your continuing support — and please share the petition and your concern about justice for children with your family and friends.