Campaign to search Vancouver Island residential school sites exceeds fundraising goal
An online fundraiser that was launched to purchase radar equipment similar to what was used to find the remains of 215 children under a former residential school in Kamloops has exceeded its $25,000 goal in just one day.
The fundraiser was started Tuesday by three Vancouver Island residents with ties to the residential school system.
The trio said in their fundraiser description that the funding would be used to search the island region's five residential school properties for any unmarked remains of missing children.
The money would go towards purchasing the penetrating radar unit and to fund work with experts during the search.
"As most of you know, the news of our recently discovered Indigenous children in a mass grave in Kamloops, B.C. has devastated our First Nations communities to its core," reads the GoFundMe.
"No words can describe this news of our lost children – 215, some as young as three years old."
As of early Wednesday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $35,000. Organizers said that any additional funds will go towards purchasing a second radar unit to assist with the search across the island's five residential school sites.
"Following our protocols, guided by our Elders and working with our young people, we want to start searching the residential school properties," reads the GoFundMe.
"Using the technology that was used at Tk'emlups residential school (Kamloops) it is critical we begin searching for more of our lost children."
The online fundraiser can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.