B.C. children mourned by First Nation, premier
The Carcross-Tagish First Nation is in mourning for the 215 children whose remains were discovered earlier this month at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
The Carcross-Tagish First Nation is in mourning for the 215 children whose remains were discovered earlier this month at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
“The Choutla Residential School site sits in the centre of our community,”the First Nation said this morning.
“We still feel and see the lasting echoes of pain it caused. C/TFN joins the national call for a full investigation into residential school sites. The government and churches cannot continue to sweep this horrific history under the rug.
“Canada is waking up to a dark reality we have long known and it is past time for this history to be fully unveiled.”
“This discovery has opened up a big wound for everybody,” said Chief Lynda Dickson.
“We all feel the effects of it. We all have family members who went to residential schools. We need to get to the bottom of it, put people to rest and bring people home, if that’s what’s needed. We need closure to help us cope.”
“I mourn with Yukoners after the remains of 215 children were discovered on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School,” said Premier Sandy Silver.
“This devastating discovery reinforces Canada’s historic and ongoing struggle with systemic racism.
“My heart goes out to those Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation families who now wait to confirm the identities of the 215 children who died at the Kamloops Indian Residential School – and with those in the Yukon and across Canada who bear the burden of the residential school experience.
“While these discoveries are painful, I hope they bring truth to these families and communities,” Silver said.
“Out of respect, flags on all Yukon government buildings will be flown at half-mast for 215 hours to honour those who suffered trauma and harm along with their families and communities who are mourning.”
Silver said he “knows many Yukoners are grieving right now and reliving the painful trauma they have experienced.
“Mental health services are available to Yukoners both in Whitehorse and in rural Yukon communities through Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services.
“Yukoners can schedule Rapid Access Counselling supports in Whitehorse and all MWSU community hubs by calling 1-867-456-3838.
“The pain caused by residential schools is an ever present part of our society,” the premier added.
“We need to acknowledge this shameful aspect of our national identity and strengthen our resolve to advance reconciliation. As Justice Murray Sinclair said in a visit to the Yukon, ‘there is no reconciliation without truth.’
“These atrocities are shocking but we cannot hide from them. We stand in support for the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and all Indigenous communities as they continue to search for and uncover evidence of the harms committed against them by governments and churches throughout Canada.
“All Canadians need to work together to address our complicated history and create a brighter future for the next generation. Our government remains committed to working with our First Nations partners to advance reconciliation.”
Comments (30)
Up 4 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Jun 6, 2021 at 9:59 am
In the name of God. For centuries throughout the world violence and carnage have been delivered in His name.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
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Al on Jun 6, 2021 at 7:59 am
It is clear that the Federal Government is making great efforts to deflect their involvement in RSs. Case in point - they had an obligation to oversee these facilities and monitor how they were administered. Evidently they failed. Nor will we know because by their own admission they DESTROYED all their records regarding the RSs. How convenient. Yet the media is also failing by not making the government accountable for their actions and inaction's. The media has permitted the government to create and sing a tune of deflection - they to have failed.
Accountability is just not for those overseeing the RSs directly but extends to everyone in the community and more importantly the Government who has the fiduciary responsibility to Ingenious peoples.
I tire when all the parties are not treated equally when it comes to being held responsible and accountable. I like many others do not condone what occurred. I truly believe that both the Government of Canada and those directly overseeing RSs walked hand in hand and therefore should be treated as one. Nor is it appropriate for the Government to be the one controlling the narrative.
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JSM on Jun 4, 2021 at 2:11 pm
@thehammer, if you have such a vested interest in my privacy I am happy to tell you. I believe in Dangun and other deities. I would ask that you be respectful while treading this ground. I would give you the same.
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JohnW on Jun 4, 2021 at 2:00 pm
For those who actually paid attention to Canadian history, here are 3 very important facts that we should be asking why the media is not reporting:
1) Pierre Elliot Trudeau was Prime Minister of Canada from 1963 to 1979 & supported the use of Residential Schools. So while he raised his own children like Justin Trudeau at home, he continued insuring that First Nation's children were taken from their families and placed in Residential Schools.
2) The Federal Government of Canada, being the Liberal Party of Canada in power at the time, operated the Kamloops Residential School from 1969 to 1978. At which point no effort was made to disclose the deaths of children at that school.
3) Jean Chretien was Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development from July 5th, 1968 to August 7th, 1974 and was personally responsible for all Residential Schools in Canada at that time.
Why isn't the Canadian media showing you the link between the Kamloops Residential School and the inner circle of the Liberal Party of Canada?
Why isn't the Trudeau Foundation repaying the $150 million loan it received from the Canadian Government so that money can go directly toward First Nation's communities that need help?
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TheHammer on Jun 4, 2021 at 6:38 am
JSM@ Attacking Christianity for the crimes of the church is another sidestep to avoid the fact of Canadian genocide and racism. I'm sure people are curious about which God JSM is actually worshipping and referring to. Spell it out, so we can put any of your comments into a recognizable context, other than fanatical extreme right wing politics, a form of substitute religion with dire genocidal consequences.
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NeilAlexGeddy on Jun 3, 2021 at 7:26 pm
An occupation that requires an oath of celibacy and an absolute devotion to a celestial dictator is bound to attract the type of personality capable of this perverse criminality. Stuff like this has been going on at Catholic run orphanages across the entire planet. Time for the Catholic church to pay up and reform itself.
The Canadian government is fully complicit in this. Time that we all pay up.
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JSM on Jun 3, 2021 at 1:28 pm
@thehammer, you are implying that the lord I spoke of prior was the Catholic God. Or any denomination of the Christian version of events.
That would be incorrect. I am incredibly critical of the catholic church as many of my comments have shown. Their sickening acts and incredible hypocrisy is something we agree on.
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TheHammer on Jun 2, 2021 at 4:50 pm
JSM @ on a previous comment regarding the YP and elections you said 'the lord knows who the righteous ones are.' (YP). Try quoting the gospels to support your theory about the motives of the church, and what role does perversion, and pedophilia play, and sadism play, and ask yourself what was the justification for the abuse of English children treated by Canadian farmers as slaves? And while we are at it explain 'the reason was to convert people to their beliefs'! By killing them and by not 'loving them'! Bizarre.
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TheHammer on Jun 2, 2021 at 3:14 pm
Sheepchaser@ It wasn't the English crown, it was the Canadian Government. First Nations have Self government because of the Crown. Something the Canadian govt tried to deny. The Royal Proclamation 1792, stated these people are sovereign people to be respected and protected. You are scapegoating to make it look like Canadians aren't responsible, its called denial. Catholic church are Canadians, it is not a separate nation, and they are not under the crown, they are under the pope. And it was a papal edict in the 15/16th century that stated the heathen savages of the new world could be enslaved because they are not Christians.
A party of First Nation delegate(1) went to Rome, recently, to request this edict be retracted, and it was refused, why? well, the pope is supposed to be infallible. No one is mentioning the English children sent over from orphanages, and sent for protection in WW11 , that were treated as slaves by Canadian farmers and abused.
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JSM on Jun 2, 2021 at 1:25 pm
@TheHammer, If you don't believe that these atrocities were not carried out in the name of the lord you are more foolish then I thought. Of course it was done by the Whites, I never said otherwise. But the REASON that the Whites did was to convert more people to their way of life and assimilate them into their beliefs. These schools had Catholic Priests and religious classes. What an absolutely asinine comment.
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TheHammer on Jun 2, 2021 at 9:07 am
Skeptics and others regarding science@ you are ignoring eye witness accounts of survivors and the the fact that children disappeared and never returned home. That's the problem with science types. And as for JSM blaming the bible and God and not the whites working in the schools and government complicity is nothing short of bizarre.
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Rolf on Jun 2, 2021 at 4:17 am
There was only one party that was responsible for implementing this nightmare.
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bonanzajoe on Jun 1, 2021 at 9:22 pm
Patti Eyre, You really don't know what you are talking about.
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Sceptical scientist on Jun 1, 2021 at 4:13 pm
Sceptic...,,,
You are correct ground penetrating radar is far from conclusive. Funny how MSM has run with this entirely without added evidence entirely on interpretation by one source. This not to detract from residential school abhorrence, but we should know the truth here.
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alex on Jun 1, 2021 at 3:47 pm
Outlawed, imprisoned, tortured, beaten, sexually abused, killed, forced march to their death all with the sanction and blessing of the government and the catholic church. Who are they going to blame, satan?
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Sheepchaser on Jun 1, 2021 at 12:40 pm
The English Crown and the Church have caused so much suffering. Only a cult could manipulate people into thinking of themselves as the arbiters of right and wrong. The lie of superiority is insidious in any form. From the racism that rationalizes slavery to the delusions offered by religion. Even a religion with peace and respect for all beings like Buddhism has been twisted to justify violence and oppression.
As the descendant of indentured servants taken out of France by an English lord and, on the other side, survivors of the great famine in Ireland who not so much immigrated to Canada as escaped to this land as refugees from English domination, the history of oppression rationalized by a claim on divinity or moral authority has subjugated us all. We see that deep suffering is the consequence of this experience.
First Nations are rising to reject slash-and-burn capitalism and reclaim their land. Many decedents of Europeans fear this. They’ve found their place of relative comfort in the multi-level-marketing scheme and fear losing it. However, we should not see each other as the problem, because there’s no other way forward than to work together. First Nations are and will be instrumental in shining a bright light on the fallacies upon which our society has been built. Who else is fighting on the front line of self determination, environmental protection and forcing the government to govern by their own laws?
At this time in history, we are all subjugated by debt and the work culture. A work culture that has replaced good jobs with a false ethic of effort until exhaustion. If that’s how hard you have to work to pay off your bills, are you any different than a slave? In a time when our leaders print money to ensure their maintenance of power, while handing unplayable burdens to future generations. When the elite are so fearful they are willing to set this planet on a course towards extinction rather than reimagine a system we entirely control. When knowledge and analysis are pushed aside in favour of uninterrupted personal positivity. When decadence trumps reality.
The graves of these children aren’t just a horrific tragedy. They are also a call from our shared past. A call to closely examine those who claim moral authority in our own time. A call to look out for each other. A call to get involved. A call to respect even if you don’t understand. A call to put down your self-help book and pick up a history book. A call to serve others selflessly. A call to clear out the fear in one’s own heart so that we can all greet each other in harmony.
May these children be returned to their people. May the community, families and relatives continue healing. May all of us experience some level of humility for the part we play, unintentional though it may be, in the system. May we all realize we are all complicit. May we all accept that change requires knowledge, honesty and courage. May we continue along the paths of enlightenment so as to avoid the period of barbarism we seem to be sinking back into.
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Sadness on Jun 1, 2021 at 11:39 am
When will the government make the Catholic churches responsible for this? When are they going to step up and say sorry?
And hopefully Trudeau doesn't just give more hand outs to buy things. Maybe actually provide supports to help deal with the trauma. They say money doesn't buy happiness--it shouldn't also buy forgiveness.
Also...it's not just FN that are mourning. I am not FN and this affects me. It sickens me to know that this was happening in my lifetime.
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Groucho d'North on Jun 1, 2021 at 9:14 am
This is why we need a mechanism beyond an election to hold politcians accountable. The church also needs to accept and demonstrate responsibility, and not just another vaporous apology. My condolences to all who are suffering from this sad discovery.
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unReal on Jun 1, 2021 at 8:52 am
Too big to fail? Time for the Church to collapse.
Catholic and Anglican leaders were always asked for advice before the government acted. They are the criminals in all this. (Remember the mass graves that were uncovered in Ireland a few years ago?) (Remember all the cover-ups that the Church perpetrated?) Convict them and have them spend time with their 'brothers' in high risk jails. Don't forgive them, they knew what they were doing. I cannot forgive them for the irreparable damage they did to me. Prayers are just a 'get-out-of-jail' free scam for the living. Stop being their sheep!
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JSM on Jun 1, 2021 at 8:01 am
@patti if you believe and follow in the bible and it's holy teaching you support the countless amount of life loss that can be attributed to it. Not just against the indigenous populace, but through all of the wars and invasions carried out in the name of the lord.
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Dave on Jun 1, 2021 at 4:14 am
Back in the early 80’s several of my native friends from Alberta told me about how the priests at the residential school they attended had routinely molested them and most everyone else while they were there. To them it was nothing new and common knowledge type stuff but they mainly kept it to themselves. Being a kid back then however I didn’t really grasp the full implications of what they were telling me. At that time this was not well known or at least kept on the down low, however my parents detested the Catholic Church for this and other reasons and told everyone they could about it but were usually given a raised eyebrow and the brush off in polite company.
Bad as the sexual abuse was, even we however didn’t grasp that kids had also died at these schools in large numbers. One of these friends committed suicide later as an adult and the other one basically drank himself to death, they were both good men who were forced to live with what happened to them. I’m filled with sorrow and regret both for what these two guys experienced and the fact that looking back now I wish I had understood and done more to try and help them. All I can do now is remember them for who they were and not what the residential school did to them.
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Nathan Living on May 31, 2021 at 8:16 pm
Time to try and identify these children and have proper burials that honour them.
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Mike on May 31, 2021 at 7:01 pm
This is the tip of the iceberg and if people listened to the survivors of residential school, they all say they left and never came back thousands of them right across Canada. Lower Post as well so let's start digging and get a clearer picture of the Genocide that happened to the First Nations Canada wide and the damage and distrust towards Catholics, Nuns, Police and Government. Until the totality of the damage done and these children are honoured and represented there can be no healing. So that 25,000 dollar day school settlement offered up by Trudeau is kinda a kick in the face when Canada paid the Japanese prisoners of war millions.
Time to stop putting a price on murder, rape and kidnappings because that is in fact what happened to these children.
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Where are the skeptical minds? on May 31, 2021 at 6:07 pm
I don't wish to sound inconsiderate, but has anyone, ANYONE, considered that NO remains have been actually identified.
Ground penetrating radar was used, and this technology is only reliable in certain conditions. The "preliminary results" have not been verified via an independent third party.
Remains have not been actually exhumed or physically tested via DNA or other forensic analysis.
Other questions exist: was this a communal burial plot (e.g. other Kamloops residents, other church-goers)? Who else might be buried there? Are all human remains? Are multiple radar hits actually the same individual? Are these all children? Are there false positives?
The claim that children "as young as three" are involved should immediately raise cautionary flags.
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Low Science Weenie on May 31, 2021 at 5:56 pm
The good old days cannot hold a candle to what is happening in the name of diversity.
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You be the Judge on May 31, 2021 at 5:54 pm
Hello Patti Eyre - I am with you on this. However, your list of professional groups is missing some integral players in this travesty. There were lawyers, judges and politicians who knew, and who were complicit. They gave power to these predators and where/when they were not predators they showed an absolute reckless disregard for human lives.
You need to recognize that without the lawyers, judges, and politicians enforcing the brutality of the Indian Act where it was intentionally stated by the government that the “Indian” in the child must be snuffed out.
These people should be held to account for their complicity, their facilitation, and their conspiracy to commit. They caused all this pain and suffering and now they want to diffuse the blame by making society accountable, you accountable - They should be censured for their crimes!
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Patti Eyre on May 31, 2021 at 4:24 pm
It's hard to believe on the one hand but when you really think about it, it's not. This was all sanctioned and funded by the government in partnership with the church. How did those priests and nuns and RCMP and social workers and doctors see these atrocities, carrying them out themselves at times, inflict such damage to babies, toddlers and children, how did they do that and go home to their own families at night? How?
I really struggle with this since I believe in the teachings of the bible and it is largely under that book these folks carried out horrible, terribly, monstrous deeds. I do not know.
My heart and prayers go out to the families of these innocent children.
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Yukon star on May 31, 2021 at 4:01 pm
Only 26 years ago that this evil sh.t was still going on in Canada. When Justin's daddy was running Canada he supported that stuff.
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ProScience Greenie on May 31, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Absolutely tragic. Those 'good old days' some go on about were also full of evil.
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Yukon star on May 31, 2021 at 3:55 pm
All Yukon first nations are mourning.