Reclaiming, rebuilding: Kamloops school survivors share in memorial for missing children Simon said while the unmarked graves of children found around residential schools in Canada have been called a discovery, for survivors it’s the confirmation of First Nations experiences and knowledge passed down from generation to generation.“It shouldn’t have taken that long, but finally people know,” Simon said. “And knowing has transformed this community.
People have made pilgrimages here to pay their respects, to say they’re sorry, to show their support.”Simon, who is the first Indigenous person in Canada to hold the office of Governor General, said many members of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc haven’t had time to grieve and she hoped that Monday’s event could contribute to their healing process.“We mourn with you.
We stand with you. We believe you,” she said.Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Chief or Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir told the crowd at the memorial that she hopes the events over the past year will lead to reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples.“Non-Indigenous are now wanting to know about the real hidden history of this country.