All flags at the Township of Esquimalt have been lowered in honour of the 215 children found buried near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation.
"This most recent discovery near the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation is profoundly sad and only further serves to stress the importance of working alongside First Nations on meaningful reconciliation," said Mayor Barbara Desjardins.
"The last residential school closed in 1996. These institutions and their repercussions are not a part of history, they are part of our present. My heart breaks for each and every family who was and continues to be affected by this tragedy."
The flags will be lowered until June 8 for a total of 215 hours to respect the 215 individuals found. The bodies were recently discovered in an unmarked grave and have prompted further investigation.
More information
- Reuters: Remains of 215 children found at former indigenous school site in Canada
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- First Nations & Indigenous relationships in Esquimalt
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society – 24 Hour Crisis Line (1-800-721-0066)
- KUU-US Crisis Line Society – 24 Hour Crisis Line (British Columbia) (1-800-588-8717)
- National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (1-800-925-4419)