The Center Block of Parliament Hill is framed against a fence as the Canadian Flag flies at half-mast to mark the recent discovery of 215 Residential School children found in an unmarked burial site in Kamloops, B.C. [Photo by Spencer Colby/Charlatan Newspaper]

WARNING: CHILD DEATHS

This photo story contains details and images viewers may find disturbing.

 

A few dozen people gathered on Parliament Hill June 1 to remember the lives of 215 children recently discovered buried in an unmarked burial site at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. 

The unmarked burial site was discovered on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, where Kamloops Indian Residential School operated until 1969. Preliminary studies conducted by ground-penetrating specialists found the 215 children buried on the former residential school grounds. 

Vigils have sprung up across the country to mourn the children’s deaths and to support Indigenous communities’ calls to search other residential school grounds. Canadian flags on all federal buildings continue to fly at half-mast for an unspecified time.

The discovery comes days before the second anniversary of public presentation of the national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). A rally planned by local activists to protest government inaction is set to be held on June 3.

Those seeking emotional support and crisis referral services can call the 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866 925 4419

 

An earlier version of this article referred to the burial site discovered at Kamloops Indian Residential School as a mass grave. Leaders of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation say the site is an unmarked burial site, not a mass grave. This article was updated on June 28 to reflect this change. This story was also updated on June 3 to include the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line.

Featured Image by Spencer Colby.

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