Our Response to Recent Residential School Discoveries
12
JUNE, 2021
News
On Thursday, May 27, it was confirmed that a discovery had been made of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in Kamloops, B.C. at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School. Since that discovery had been made public, the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has announced their ongoing efforts to identify approximately 104 children buried in unmarked graves at the Brandon Indian Residential School. We know there are many more children still yet to be found across Canada.
Bearing the word “Canada” in our name comes with it a responsibility to bear witness to the ongoing impacts of Indigenous genocide enacted by the Canadian government. The physical, cultural, and spiritual violence of residential schools created intergenerational harms that affect all Canadians to this day. We also draw attention to the Canadian federal government’s ongoing inaction, in their apology for the harms caused by residential schools while continuing to fight the residential school settlements in court.
Quidditch Canada honours and grieves for the children who have been discovered thus far, as well as for the thousands of children who never returned home.
We urge our community to engage closely with the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions’ 94 Calls to Action, so we can collectively continue to do our part to interrupt ongoing harms against Indigenous communities and move us closer towards reconciliation.
Our anti-oppression resource library has been updated with specific Indigenous and decolonizing resources, to support collective learning.
Read the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Nation’s statement.
Watch the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s Media Statement.
Watch the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s Media Statement.
Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools, and those who are triggered by the latest reports. A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.