We at Fulbright Canada are horrified and sickened by the heartbreaking news that the remains of 215 children have been discovered at the site of the former Kamloops Residential Indian School, which sits on the traditional territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc. Our hearts are with their families, their communities, residential school survivors, and all of those who are mourning their loss.
We respect and support the desire and the commitment of First Nations to find the truth about lost and missing children. Moreover, and sadly, we know that this may only be the beginning of a painful quest for the truth. We are all affected by this terrible news and understand that we need to double down on our commitment to recognize the failures in our shared history, especially as it relates to the residential school system and its pattern of abuse. The legacy of the residential school system is one of neglect coupled with social, physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and the continuance of intergenerational trauma.
Nothing can erase the shameful reality of these 215 dead Indigenous children; however, we can all take responsibility, show our remorse, and, we hope, our collective humanity.
Fulbright Canada has always prioritized encouraging and supporting Indigenous youth, engaging in Nation-to-Nation relations, and celebrating Indigenous achievement. Now, as we embark on National Indigenous History Month and move towards the official launch of Fulbright Canada’s Honouring Nations Canada Initiative, it is time for all of us to invest in meaningful ways to support the next generation of Indigenous youth.
Michael K. Hawes
President and CEO
Fulbright Canada
Robin McLay
Regional Director, Fulbright Canada West
Co-Director, Honouring Nations Canada
Fulbright Canada
Candace Wasacase-Lafferty
Senior Director, Indigenous Engagement, University of Saskatchewan
Co-Director, Honouring Nations Canada
Fulbright Canada