(Phil Fontaine, Grand Chief of the Assembly of the First Nations, wears a traditional headdress as he attends the Pope Benedict’s general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Wednesday. Photograph by: Max Rossi, Reuters)

http://www.vancouversun.com/Life/Pope+shows+sorrow+over+residential+school+abuse/1545844/story.html

By Peter O’Neil, Europe Correspondent, Canwest News Service
April 29, 2009 9:09 AM

PARIS — Pope Benedict expressed his “sorrow” Wednesday over the suffering of thousands of aboriginal Canadians in residential schools run by the Roman Catholic Church.

The statement came in a communique issued by the Vatican after the pope met with Phil Fontaine, Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, the Most Reverend James Weisgerber, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and several B.C. aboriginal leaders.

“His Holiness recalled that since the earliest days of her presence in Canada, the Church, particularly through her missionary personnel, has closely accompanied the indigenous peoples,” the statement began.

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At a recent NE2Ss meeting, it was unanimously agreed upon that NE2SS should be an Outreach Partner for the Two Spirits: Sexuality, Gender, and the Murder of Fred Martinez Film.

The Fred Martinez Project and the documentary film Two Spirits received the 2008 Monette-Horwitz Distinguished Achievement Award for outstanding activism, research, and scholarship to combat homophobia.

The U.S. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in Washington has joined the Fred Martinez Project as an outreach partner. The department will host screenings of Two Spirits around the country as a part of their ongoing national diversity programs.

For more information please visit www.twospirits.org.

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