The atrocities, death, missing persons and silence of residential schools that Indigenous peoples have known about for so long are finally known to all, the Governor General of Canada told a crowd of survivors and family members in Kamloops on Monday. , British Columbia.
These comments by Mary Simon come a year after ground-penetrating radar uncovered unmarked graves believed to contain the remains of possibly 215 children who died at a former boarding school near the town. This discovery led to those of hundreds of other similar sites across the country and sparked a national reflection on Canada’s past and present relationships with Indigenous peoples.
Mme Simon pointed out that while the location of unmarked graves around residential schools in Canada has been called a “discovery”, for survivors it is more a confirmation of lived experiences and testimonies passed down from generation to generation among First Nations nations.
“It shouldn’t have taken this long, but eventually people know,” she said. And knowing has transformed this community. People have made pilgrimages here to pay their respects, to say they are sorry, to show their support. »
Mary Simon spoke Monday at a commemoration to mark the one-year anniversary of the announcement by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation that graves had been discovered on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian residential school.
“It is unimaginable for a place of learning to be so cruel. It is inexcusable that people can commit these atrocities or that people can remain silent,” she added.
Mme Simon, who is the first Indigenous person in Canada to serve as Governor General, said many Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc members had no time to grieve and she hoped Monday’s event could help to their healing process.
“We mourn with you. We are by your side. We believe you,” she said.
“The Real Hidden Story”
Chief Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc or Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir told the crowd gathered at the Powwow Arbor that she hopes the events of the past year will lead to reconciliation for Indigenous peoples.
“Non-natives now want to know the true hidden history of this country. That we know is a good thing. These conversations, as difficult as they are, will lead to steps that we must all take towards our collective history, ”she testified.
Although she said she was disappointed the pope was not coming to Kamloops on a visit scheduled for July, she is glad he is meeting other Indigenous people in Canada.
Pope Francis will stop in Edmonton, Quebec and Iqaluit during his visit.
Mme Casimir was part of the delegation to the Vatican to which the pope apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was scheduled to attend Monday’s memorial event later in the day. He will meet community members in the afternoon, watch a traditional dance performance and participate in a closed meeting with Mr.me Casimir and the members of his council.
The Prime Minister was also due to take part in the closing ceremonies of the memorial which were due to begin around 7 p.m.
He faced widespread criticism last September when he failed to attend ceremonies in Kamloops for the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.