Malahat Nation and supporters march for residential school survivors, victims
With the discovery of 1,000 unmarked graves in total at two residential school sites in Canada, the country is in mourning. That has prompted a First Nation artist and organizers from two different Vancouver Island Nations to try to bring communities together while acknowledging Canada’s dark past.
“I’m honoured for all the supporters we have, this is medicine for us,” said Paul Harry, who is an Indian Day School survivor.
Paul and his brother, Francis Harry, of the Malahat Nation are bringing their and the surrounding community together.
“You see a lot of non-natives here and we see a lot of band members here. Different band members from Musqueam, West Saanich, Vancouver,” said Francis, also an Indian Day School Survivor.
The two organized a community march to begin at the Malahat First Nation longhouse and continue along the Trans Canada Highway on Friday. It was intended to draw attention to the unmarked graves found on two residential school sites in Kamloops and now Saskatchewan. They are also demanding an apology.
“We want our voices to be heard by the government, from the Catholics, and the RCMP for the kidnapping – and helping the Catholics take the children away,” said Francis.
Well over 100 people of all different ages and backgrounds walked in solidarity with the nation on Friday, something that the Malahat council is encouraged to see.
“Well I hope that we all move forward together,” said Gordon Harry, Malahat councillor. “In the march it’s not only just Indigenous people, so it looks like everyone is gathering together as one.”
In Port Alberni, acknowledging Canada’s dark past comes through ancient Indigenous carvings.
“It represents the culture, the language, history,” said Joshua Shaw, one of the carvers.
Indigenous carver Joshua Shaw is seen working on a totem pole that will be put up in Port Alberni in recognition of residential school survivors and victims: June 25, 2021 (CTV News)
Shaw is working on a totem pole, which is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. It will reflect Indigenous languages, and will acknowledge healing from residential schools.
“Justice needs to be done,” said Shaw. “Now the rest of Canada has evidence that we already knew, and it’s just sad that it has taken so long for this to come out.”
Once completed, the pole will be located along the water on Rogers Street in Port Alberni.
Like the march, it is just one of many different ways Indigenous people in Canada are trying to move forward, in the wake of such horrifying discoveries from our past.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.