Kahnawake grieves after more unmarked residential school victim graves discovered
For nearly a month, hundreds of pairs of children's shoes have lined the sidewalk outside the Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the Mohawk community of Kahnawake. Those shoes have taken on even greater meaning after the discovery of yet more unmarked graves of residential school victims, this time in Saskatchewan.
“It's been a strong statement for community members,” said Jessica Oesterreich.
The shoes were initially laid after the remains of 215 children were found in unmarked graves outside the Kamloops Residential School in British Columbia. Oesterreich, who organized the tribute, said the discovery of 751 more such graves, this time outside the former Marieval Residential School, has only deepened the community's resolve.
“This has given people opportunity to really grieve, for a lot of younger people in the community that didn't go to residential school but know stories from grandparents and aunts and uncles of what happened when they were there,” she said.
According to the provincial government, Quebec operated six residential schools. The province has recently announced steps towards more transparency on the schools' histories and has said it is committed to helping search the grounds for unmarked graves if survivors and families are in favour.
“Our plan is to consult the different communities and nations, to know what their intentions and will are,” said a government spokesperson. “Some communities already said they're ready for searches. Others want and need more time. We will respect that.”
The discovery of a second grave site is “tangible evidence” of what Indigenous people have long known, said Carleton University Indigenous Studies professor Kahente Horn-Miller.
“I think what this does is elevate the issue into the minds of the Canadian population and, hopefully, into the eyes and hearts and minds of the Canadian government to do something,” she said.
For Oesterreich, reconciliation can only come after the grief has passed.
“I firmly believe that people can't heal and move forward unless they have been given the opportunity to grieve to the extent they need to grieve.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401 leaves 4 dead, including infant
A wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. last night has left four people dead, including an infant, Ontario’s police watchdog says.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.