INUVIK - Men and women sat in silence, some wiping away tears, all listening.

Sitting at a table in front of them, surrounded by Dene Nation leaders, Bishop Murray Chatlain apologized.

Bishop Murray Chatlain (left) of the Mackenzie-Fort Smith Catholic Diocese apologizes to residential school victims at the Dene First Nation's assembly May 27 as Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus (right) looks on. Katie May/NNSL photo

Chatlain, representing the Mackenzie-Fort Smith Diocese of the Catholic Church, spoke to about 70 people at the Dene National Assembly in Inuvik Wednesday. He told them he was deeply sorry for the Catholic church's involvement in Canada's residential school system.

"As a church, we participated in a system that sought to strip away aboriginal language and culture. I truly believe that most of the sisters and most of the people that worked in the schools did not know the real agenda of the government policy. Yet most of us brought the baggage of colonial arrogance, which I believe is at the root of this waste," Chatlain said.

"I'm deeply sorry for the part we played in devaluing aboriginal culture and language. And I pray that today our church can be a place of valuing and practising your language and culture."

In less than 15 minutes, the bishop apologized for sexual and physical abuse in the schools, loss of language, tradition and family ties, and generations of suffering.

Afterward, speakers from five member regions responded to the bishop's offering, most drawing on their own experiences in residential schools.

Lucy Jackson, former chief of Fort Good Hope, thanked Chatlain for his apology but expressed her difficulty in accepting it.

"What belongs to us today is just remnants of what we're trying to find," she said. "What was our language? What was our way of life?"

"I couldn't accept the apology in June. The agenda was well known. The agenda was well known – and the agenda is still on the table today."

Most of the speakers, including Francois Paulette, former chief of Smith Landing, said they accepted the apology.

"This is a wonderful day," he said.

"Today, a door was opened and I'd like to leave that door open behind us so the other young ones can follow."

Paulette gave the bishop a satchel of sweet grass to thank him.

Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus told the audience they were now in an "era of post-apology."

"Once the apology is made by the Catholic church, it completes the circle because then all of the churches have apologized," Erasmus said. "It's time to reconcile and it's time for us to work together and strengthen ourselves."