The Fort McMurray Catholic School Division (FMCSD) provided an update on an investigation into Father Turcotte.
On Apr 4, 2022, the Catholic School Board approved a recommendation to rename Father Turcotte School after community members in Fort Chipewyan brought forward serious allegations.
“The Fort McMurray Catholic School Division immediately reached out to local Indigenous leaders in the region when the allegations were made to seek to understand and learn more.”
READ MORE: Fort McMurray Catholic School Board announces re-naming of downtown school
The FMCSD partnered with the Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) during its investigation, and in a joint statement released an update.
“Following the decision to rename the downtown school in April, additional survivors came forward and revealed their abuser was in fact not Father Turcotte. This miscommunication is a regrettable event and an error for which we humbly apologize.”
Chief Allan Adam, President of the ATC, said their investigation found the allegations are against another person with the same name.
“ATC recognizes that this new information identifies Brother Turcotte as the abuser, not Father Turcotte, for whom the school was originally named. The name Turcotte continues to be a deeply traumatic trigger for survivors in our Indigenous communities, and we need to respect that.”
Catholic School Board Chair Cathie Langmead added Father Turcotte is also innocent of previous allegations made against him.
She maintained it’s their responsibility to redress the legacy of residential schools.
“As Catholics, we recognize and acknowledge that as European settlers and since the beginning of Catholic education in Alberta, systemic racism and abuse has been perpetuated, particularly against First Nations peoples.”
Langmead added the path to Truth and Reconciliation is never easy.
“Reconciliation requires trust, accountability, and transparency. As a Board, we take full responsibility for hastily removing Father Turcotte’s name from our downtown school. Our failure to ensure due diligence resulted in unnecessary heartache within our Catholic community and for this we apologize.”
Langmead said that during the summer, they will look for an appropriate alternative to recognize Father J.A. Turcotte’s positive contributions.
Chief Adam agreed, saying work to correct the mistaken identity is necessary.
“The name Turcotte continues to be a deeply traumatic trigger for survivors in our Indigenous communities, and we need to respect that. We agree that work to correct the mistaken identity of Father Turcotte is necessary and can take other forms that still respect the impact on survivors.”
FMCSD also posted a statement on its Twitter account.
“Following the decision to rename the downtown school in April, additional survivors came forward and revealed their abuser was in fact not Father Turcotte. This miscommunication is a regrettable event and an error for which we humbly apologize.”
— FMCSD (@FMCSD) June 27, 2022
Next steps
On Apr. 4, FMCSD announced they would rename Father Turcotte School to Our Lady of the Rivers School.
In light of the new information, the Catholic School Board will go ahead with the renaming.
George McGuigan, Superintendent of the FMCSD, said the school will continue to honour Father Turcotte.
“It is deeply regrettable that we have tarnished his great name, not only as a highly respected Priest in our community, but as a foundational leader in the development of Catholic Education in this region. It is through his insightful leadership that we have developed into such a strong Catholic Education Division. Our Board of Trustees will work to ensure his name will be fully restored and recognized.”
McGuigan also remarked on Canada’s legacy of residential schools.
“Unfortunately, the legacy of residential schools continues to impact survivors and has created intergenerational trauma. We will work to restore the good name of Father Turcotte while continuing to shed light on the serious history and legacy of residential schools.”
McGuigan said the 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is still available to provide support for survivors and their families.
Individuals in need may call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional and crisis referral services.
Our Lady of the Rivers School is located on Franklin Ave.
