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
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
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.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.