Condolences to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc people and Indigenous communities across Canada

The Village of Lions Bay extends our sincere condolences to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc people and Indigenous communities across Canada as we join them in mourning the 215 children whose remains were uncovered at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Our thoughts are with all Indigenous people who have been impacted by this tragedy and we would like to honour those whose lives were taken, the survivors, and their families, by lowering our flags to half-mast until noon June 8th, one hour for each of the 215 children found in the mass grave.

We recognize the grief, trauma and loss that has been caused by Canada’s residential schools and other colonial systems and policies that were enacted and supported by all levels of government, and we encourage all non-Indigenous residents to consider ways of building a more just, equitable and meaningful path forward for generations to follow.

We acknowledge this news will be painful for residential school survivors and their families and would like to offer the reminder that the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Emergency Crisis Line is available 24/7 for those who may need support during this difficult time. Call 1-800-721-0066 or the 24-hour crisis line at 1-866-925-4419. Within BC, the KUU-US Crisis Line Society, providing First Nations and Indigenous-specific support, can be reached at 1-800-588-8717 or online at https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/

Released: May 31, 2021