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
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.