Honouring the Children of the Kamloops Residential School

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President's Office
By Gillian Siddall + Brenda Crabtree

Posted on May 31, 2021 | Updated May 31, 2021, 12:53pm

Dear ECU Community,

The devastating discovery of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops residential school is horrifying and tragic evidence of the violence colonialism inflicts on Indigenous Peoples.

Our hearts go out to the families and communities of these residential school victims. We stand with our Indigenous community at Emily Carr and with Indigenous people across Canada at this incredibly painful time.

We invite you to join an online gathering in honour of these children, hosted by Reconciliation Canada and the Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS).

Gatherings will take place on Monday, May 31 and Tuesday, June 1 at 9:00 AM (PT). You can join with this Zoom link: zoom.us/j/99892409581.

We also encourage you to wear orange on Monday and Tuesday in remembrance.

Lastly, those who wish to donate to the IRSSS can do so online at www.irsss.ca.

Sincerely,

Gillian Siddall, President + Vice-Chancellor

Brenda Crabtree, Director, Aboriginal Programs + Special Advisor to the President on Indigenous Initiatives

Counselling + Support

Support is available for members of the ECU community during this difficult time:

The IRSSS is offering phone support for anyone affected by residential schools or who is triggered by recent reports: 1.800.721.0066.

Within BC, the KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a 24-hour crisis line for Indigenous people: 1.800.588.8717 or kuu-uscrisisline.com.