Thousands march for Penelakut Tribe following discovery of unmarked graves
A sea of orange shirts flowed through the streets of Chemainus, B.C. on Monday in support of the Penelakut Tribe following last month’s revelation that 160 unmarked graves were discovered at the former Kuper Island Industrial School site on Penelakut Island.
About 3,000 residential school survivors, First Nations community members and supporters marched in solidarity with the tribe.
“Our elders felt it was time – time do something, time to speak for the ones that can’t speak, so that’s why we’re here today,” said Mike Charlie, chair of the Penelakut Elders Treaty Committee.
Last month, the committee sent a memo to neighbouring First Nations to share news about the work it has been doing with ground-penetrating radar since 2014.
The Penelakut Tribe says it has found the graves of 160 children and expects to unearth the remains of many more.
“Today is about bringing their spirit back to the lands where they came from,” said Eddy Charlie, a Kuper Island residential school survivor.
“The truth of residential schools is now starting to make people listen.”
About seven years ago, the Penelakut Tribe began working with researchers at the University of British Columbia to search for the remains of missing children.
UBC anthropology professor Andrew Martindale has been working with the Penelakut Tribe and says it’s a daunting task that has only just begun.
“At this location, of course, but across the country, it’s such an enormous task,” said Martindale. “The governments in Canada need to think about the resources that are necessary to dedicate to this. The numbers of missing children are likely in the tens of thousands across the country.”
The Penelakut March For Missing Children wrapped up with speeches at Waterwheel Park in Chemainus.
“A turnout like this is going to make Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Vatican realize that now is the time for them to tender the apology that needed to be heard a long time ago,” said Charlie.
Ground-penetrating radar work at the former Kuper Island school site is expected to resume in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.