Photo: The Canadian Press
The former Indian housing school in Kamloops is seen in Kamloops, British Columbia, on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. CANADIAN PRESS / Daryl Dyke
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received a strong and stern reception Monday during a one-day memorial marking the anniversary of the unveiling of graves believed to contain the remains of hundreds of children at a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia.
Trudeau was followed by a large group of people attending the memorial, chanting and drumming as he stopped in the stands, talking face to face with people and often exchanging hugs with others.
“We still have a lot to do,” Trudeau was heard saying to an elderly woman he was talking to and hugging.
Others did not appear friendly, chanting, “All of Canada is Indian land,” and “We don’t need your constitution.”
Trudeau told the crowd that he heard their worries.
Earlier Monday, Governor-General Mary Simon told the crowd that the atrocities, death, loss and silence of residential schools that the indigenous people had known for so long were now known to all.
“It is impossible to imagine a place to study so cruelly. “It is unforgivable that people can commit these atrocities or that people can remain silent while they have been committed,” she said.
A year ago, Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced that the graves had been discovered using ground-penetrating radar on the site of the former Indian housing school Kamloops.
They are believed to hold the remains of up to 215 children who died at the school, a discovery that led to the discovery of hundreds of other similar sites across the country and sparked a national calculation of Canada’s past and present relations with indigenous peoples.
Simon said that while the unmarked graves of children found around residential schools in Canada are called a discovery, for the survivors it is a confirmation of the experience and knowledge of the first nations passed down from generation to generation.
“It didn’t have to take that long, but people finally understood,” Simon said. “And knowledge transforms this community. “People have made a pilgrimage here to pay their respects, to say they are sorry, to show their support.”
Simon, Canada’s first indigenous governor-general, said many members of Tk’emlups te Secwepemc had not had time to grieve and hoped Monday’s event could contribute to their healing process. .
“We grieve with you. We stand with you. We trust you,” she said.
Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Chief or Kukpi7 Rosan Casimir told the memorial crowd that he hoped events over the past year would lead to reconciliation for indigenous peoples.
“The local population now wants to know about the real hidden history of this country. What we know is a good thing. These conversations, no matter how difficult, will lead to steps that we all need to take towards our collective history. ”
Casimir was part of a delegation to the Vatican, where the pope apologized last month for the Catholic Church’s role in the Canadian school system.
Although she said she was disappointed that the pope would not come to Kamloops during a planned visit in July, she was pleased that he would meet with other indigenous peoples in Canada.
Pope Francis will make stops in Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit during his visit.
Trudeau was also expected to watch a traditional jingle dance performance and attend a private meeting with Casimir and members of her council on Monday.
He met with widespread criticism last September for failing to attend Kamlups National Reconciliation Day ceremonies.
Kamloops school survivor John Jules said Monday’s memorial was an inspiring event. Jules took part in a dance in which he toured the pau wow grounds with hundreds of people, young and old.
“It’s inspiring to have all our people together,” he said. “It brings healing to our people.”
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