Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh and Grand Council Treaty #3 Mourn Victims of Kamloops Indian Residential School

Website Administrator — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 15:56:18 +0000

Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh and Grand Council Treaty #3 express deep condolences to the people of Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation and all communities whose children attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The remains of 215 students found on the school site last week is a solemn reminder of the harm inflicted by the Residential School System on First Nations communities across Canada.

“I am outraged, saddened, and completely heartbroken upon hearing the news,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “This story has resonated with people from across the country because every First Nation person has been impacted, whether directly or from the intergenerational trauma inflicted by residential schools. The trauma inflicted by the Residential School System is still impacting our communities to this day.”

The Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 calls upon all its affiliated organizations and its neighbours in the Treaty #3 territory to lower their flags to half mast this week in honour of the 215 children and all the survivors of residential schools.

“I hope that this tragic news allows Canadians to consider the harm caused by these institutions,” added Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh. “It hurts when people say the effects are in the past or that the policy was anything short of what it was: the crime of genocide. Survivors still face denial of the genocide including most notably from the Roman Catholic Church.”

This week will also see many ceremonies and acts of remembrance across Treaty #3 and all citizens of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 are asked to check in with loved ones and community members that may need support.

For those who need support please contact:
GCT3 IRS Team – (807) 548-4214
IRS Survivors Society – 1-800-721-0066

For more information please contact:
Daniel Morriseau, Political Advisor – (807) 464-2647 or by email daniel.morriseau@treaty3.ca

KCA Chiefs send thoughts to families of Kamloops residential school

Website Administrator — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 15:51:39 +0000

The Board of Directors at Kenora Chiefs Advisory are comprised of the Chiefs of 9 communities which KCA serves, located in Treaty #3 Territory. The Chiefs, alongside KCA staff covey our deepest, heartfelt acknowledgments to the families of the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation. We take this time to also acknowledge all the families across our Nations who have had children that attended residential schools, and many families that continue to grieve children who went missing or died while at these schools. The recent discovery of a mass grave of 215 children is another reminder of the harrowing realities and impacts that the residential school system continues to have on Anishinaabeg. This loss is felt both individually, and collectively.

“I am deeply saddened for all the families that have been affected by this absolute tragedy”, said Board President, Chief Lorraine Cobiness of Niisaachewan Anishnaabe Nation. “We will stand in solidarity with all those who have been affected by this unimaginable loss, and acknowledge that the trauma from the residential school system still implicates this country and our people today”.

Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh calls upon all its affiliated organizations and neighbours in the Treaty #3 territory to lower their flags to half-mast this week in honour of the 215 Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc children, and all survivors of residential schools. The KCA Board and its staff will be participating in response to this call.

The memorial sites located at Cecilia Jeffrey and St. Mary’s Residential Schools remain places where community members can make offerings and pray. In Kenora, a memorial located at the Kenora Shoppers Mall round-about has been organized by local Grandmothers and community members for those that wish to pay their respects.

KCA encourages everyone to educate themselves on the ongoing legacy of Residential Schools by reading the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action, and thinking about how as individuals we can advance these Calls within our collective communities, and society.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Abbie Siroishka
Senior Executive Assistant and Communications Lead
Kenora Chiefs Advisory
(807) 407-4282
abbie.siroishka@kenorachiefs.ca

#215children – Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation

Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh and Grand Council Treaty #3 Mourn Victims of Kamloops Indian Residential School

KCA Chiefs send thoughts to families of Kamloops residential school