Opinion: We cannot let Pope Francis’s efforts toward Indigenous reconciliation die with him – The Globe and Mail

APRIL 25, 2025

Gerri Sharpe is the former president of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and is based in Yellowknife.

It was 17 years ago this month that my grandfather, Gideon Qitsualik, opened his eyes for the first time in five days. He had no voice and could barely move, struggling for air in his hospital bed. I happened to be right next to him, and leaned in toward his face. I had not seen him in five years. As he took in my traditional Inuit face tattoos, which I had just gotten four months prior, his eyes lit up.

He smiled, and love shone out of his face. He tried to move his hand to my eyes and forehead, where my first tattoos were, and I broke down in tears. I was the first Inuk in roughly 60 years to adorn those tattoos on my face – others had applied them to their hands or arms – but it was important to me that I start with my face.

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