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
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
The push to Parliament's summer hiatus is about to begin, here's what you need to know
When MPs file back in to the House of Commons on Tuesday, it will be for the final five-week parliamentary push before hitting the barbecue circuit. Looking ahead to what could be a raucous rush to the summer hiatus, CTVNews.ca spoke with top House representatives to get a sense of what's atop their priority list.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Your kids' ultraprocessed food consumption may put them at higher risk, study shows
The ultraprocessed foods your kids eat now may be putting them at greater risk for cardiometabolic problems – like heart attack, stroke and diabetes – in adulthood, a new study suggests.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.