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
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It’s discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
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.
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.