Background: Last week, a van carrying nuns, with an Alberta licence plate, was seen around communities in Northwest B.C. People on Facebook were sharing pictures of the nuns trying to get into various First Nations communities. At the time, people were confused and concerned for the safety of the communities, especially with many First Nations communities closed to the public due to the ongoing pandemic.
Editor’s Note: While the following letter was written about Prince Rupert and mentions Kitamaat Village, the nuns were also seen around much of Northwest B.C. and, as the letter states, caused quite the stir on social media across the region. The pastor who wrote the letter said the nuns were from Edmonton, here on vacation. The Kitimat Northern Sentinel confirmed that they had attended mass at the Catholic Church in Kitimat the Wednesday prior, and the pastor said they had been trying to travel around to get a good view of the ocean and had no ill-intent.
Dear editor,
This past week, Prince Rupert had visitors: six Catholic sisters, a.k.a. nuns, and they made quite the stir on social media!
The sisters, four from Poland and two Indigenous from Brazil, naively and innocently travelled to Kitamaat Village as part of their vacation and simply wanted to “see” the ocean and enjoy nature (they are from Edmonton; so the ocean is attractive to them). They did not intend to interact with the local people because of COVID-19. There was no intent to harm, no intent of disturbing their life. All six had no agenda at all and no history with the residential schools. At the entrance to Kitamaat Village they were told by the locals that they could not enter. They turned around and went back to their residence. The next day, they travelled north to see the lava beds and took a chance by driving in the direction of Kincolith, again to see the ocean. They were turned back. Unbeknownst to them, social media was buzzing with reports that these nuns were going to hurt Indigenous children and warnings were posted, pictures of their van posted, and of them, urging parents to keep their children secure in their homes.
When I first came to Canada, I did not understand the prejudice toward First Nations people, nor the jokes about Newfoundlanders! I befriended First Nations people (and Newfoundlanders) and enjoyed their laughter. The racism I witnessed against First Nations people helped me to understand my own prejudice towards those I treated differently in my hometown, New York.
In fighting racism, everyone is invited to look within, so that we end racism, not give it a new face to distrust and malign.
The six sisters mentioned above came to the West Coast to see the ocean! They finally got to see it during their short time in Prince Rupert that was cut short due to the growing fear they experienced.
They are lovely ladies, beautiful sisters, and Prince Rupert missed a golden opportunity to welcome these six gentle souls.
Fr. Terry Brock
Pastor at Annunciation Church
Prince Rupert
