'We are about to depart on one of the most remarkable journeys that this country has ever taken,' said Phil Fontaine, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, at the launch March 2 of the Church and Aboriginal leaders' multi-city tour in support  of the  work of theTruth and Reconciliation Commission on Residential Schools. The event was held at the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa

Organizers were encouraged by the large crowd that turned out for the launch.  Many of the almost 500 people who attended the event in the Grand Hall of the Museum of Civilization were unable to be seated.

Speaking in French and English, Archbishop Roger Ebacher, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Gatineau, spoke briefly at the event, welcoming all who attended.

An aboriginal girl dressed in traditional native clothing was one of several youth who participated on stage in the opening prayer to the four directions.

'As a church we have so much for which to be so sorry,' said Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, a large portrait of an aboriginal child representing residential school children beside him.

Bishop Mark MacDonald, the National Indigenous Bishop for the Anglican Church of Canada, delivered a closing prayer.

The Rev. Dr. J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg, Moderator of the Presbyterian in Canada, acknowledged his church's 'confession'  for its role in the Residential School  program.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. David Giuliano, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, said the Triuth and Reconciliation Commission is 'an opporutnity to hear the truth about, and begin to break, the enduring chains created by Indian Residential Schools.'

The Rt. Rev. Dr. David Giuliano, Moderator of the United Church of Canada,

Wilton Littlechild , the regional chief for Alberta, representing the Assembly of First Nations, is flanked by the church leaders as he speaks at a news conference on Parliament Hill March 3.

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, told reporters at the news conference, 'As churches in Canada we acknowledge our failures in Indian Residential schools, which aimed to socialize and Christianize First Nations, Metis and Inuit People’s '

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Ottawa, represented Archbishop Archbishop Gerard Pettipas, the Bishop of Grouard McLennan in Alberta, who is president of the 50 Roman Catholic corporations who are signatories to the understanding between aboriginal peoples, the federal government and the churches. Prendergast said the Catholic Curch will be represented by various bishops, archbishops and religious leaders during the church and aboriginal leaders' tour.

'If we allow the truth to be told and have a heart to hear it, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s work will be a doorway to a better Canada for us all. In fact, at this moment, it is the most important doorway to a liveable future,' said Bishop Mark MacDonald, the National Indigenous Bishop for the Anglican Church of Canada,

The Rt. Rev. Dr. David Giuliano, Moderator of the United Church of Canada, answers a reporter's question at the news conference.