Dear Families,

Our flag is at half mast to honour those who suffered trauma and harm at the former residential school in Kamloops, and their families and communities who are mourning. The recent discovery of the remains of 215 children is a grim reminder of the trauma of the residential school system and the impacts that remain in our province today. To show respect and in memorial, we encourage our staff and students to wear orange this week.
Remains found at Kamloops residential school ‘not an isolated incident,’ Indigenous experts and leaders warn | CBC News

"One of the most painful tasks of Canada’s seven-year Truth and Reconciliation Commission was an attempt to quantify the sheer number of Indigenous children who died at an Indian Residential School. The commission ultimately determined that at least 3,200 children died while a student at a Residential School; one in every 50 students enrolled during the program’s nearly 120-year existence. That’s a death rate comparable to the number of Canadian POWs who died in the custody of Nazi Germany during the Second World War."
Why so many children died at Indian Residential Schools | National Post

As a school community, our heart breaks over the injustice and wrongs done to our Indigenous brothers and sisters. It is our goal to portray Canadian history accurately in our classrooms, humbly acknowledge historical wrongs done and understand and attempt to mitigate the ones that persist today. We wish to support our students and families who are deeply impacted by this story and ask that those needing assistance reach out to us. There is also a National Indian Residential School Crisis Line to provide support for former students and those affected. Emotional and crisis referral services can be accessed by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

With respect,
Kristin Atherton