Indigenous Tourism BC’s Response to Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation former Kamloops Residential School

On May 28, 2021,  Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous on the grounds of the former Kamloops Residential School. 

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of these spirits. In our shared grief we reflect on the children in our own lives and try to comprehend the loss to the families and communities whose children never returned. This is a reminder to many Canadian’s of the evils that took place across the country through the Residential School System in many of their own lifetimes. Yet for those that attended, their families and their communities, the atrocities and consequences of these schools are felt daily. For those whose siblings, children, friends, and family never returned from residential school, this news is no surprise, only Truth finally being voiced.

As Indigenous Peoples, we acknowledge the loss of these 215 children. We acknowledge all of the children who never made it home from the former Kamloops residential school and all residential schools. 

We stand with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation for sharing this most difficult Truth and opening this path to long-term healing. We support them as they prepare to return the children to their families and we must all act as witnesses to this living history, carry this story with us so we might be allies to Indigenous communities on their path towards healing and peace. 

We honour all residential school survivors, their families, and their communities. We honour those who carried the burden of this Truth before it was announced.

We acknowledge the collective trauma and grief of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people as we come to terms with this Truth of Canada’s living history.

We honour all Indigenous children and Peoples. Let us stand by each other during this time of grief. May we have the courage to face the truth, learn from it, demand accountability, and take action.

If you, or someone you know needs support, the following resources are available:

IRSSS Toll-Free Line: 1-800-721-0066

24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717

Tsow-Tun-Le Lum: 1-866-925-4419

Photo: Andy Everson