First Nations host ceremony to honour residential school victims in Victoria
The Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations are holding a ceremony Tuesday to honour the 215 children whose remains were discovered last month at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops.
The ceremony will begin with a canoe protocol in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, followed by prayers and a drum circle on the lawn of the B.C. legislature.
"This is our time to honour the 215 children and to stand with the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc people," said Songhees Chief Ron Sam in a statement Tuesday morning. "We support their call for governments to increase support for pathways for healing."
The First Nations say the timing of the memorial is meant to coincide with the re-raising of flags that have been flaying at half-staff at the legislature and Victoria city hall for 215 hours.
"Joining our procession will be representation from other Nations from across Vancouver Island and we’ll all be wearing orange shirts," organizer Cecelia Dick said in the statement.
“Gathering together for song and prayer is our way of healing," she added. "Although some invited MLAs and city councillors will attend, they will join us only to witness and learn."
Ceremony schedule:
- 11:30 a.m. - Canoes arrive at protocol corner (southeast corner of Lower Causeway)
- Noon - Walking procession to legislature grounds
- 12:15 p.m. - Drum circle begins
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6857961.1713868204!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.