Grand Erie to honour the lives of the 215 children found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, BC
Beginning today, May 31, all flags across Grand Erie District School Board schools and worksites, will be lowered to mourn the 215 children whose remains were recently found at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School in Kamloops, BC. The flags will be lowered for nine days, which amounts to 215 hours to represent the life of each child lost.
Throughout the month of June, students, staff, families and community members are also encouraged to wear orange in honour of their memory.
At the beginning of Grand Erie’s Regular Meeting of the Board on May 31 at 7:15 p.m., a moment of silence will be held in honour of the lives lost to a residential school.
“We are deeply saddened by this news. Our thoughts are with the 215 children whose lives were tragically taken, the families who never saw their children return, and all those who are affected,” said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. “We stand with all Indigenous peoples, and our local First Nations, both Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, as we collectively mourn this loss and recognize the trauma caused and felt across the nation.”
Indigenous communities across Canada will also hold a moment of silence today on May 31 at 2:15 p.m. The Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, a former residential school, will place 215 pairs of moccasins on their steps to honour the lost souls.
Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 25,000 students in 58 elementary and 14 secondary schools within the City of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk.