The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is condemning a recent demonstration near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School and is calling on people to stand with residential school Survivors ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The demonstration took place Sunday on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc lands, near the site where ground-penetrating radar identified 215 potential burial sites in 2021.
According to PAGC, the gathering involved masked individuals promoting residential school denialism.
“What happened on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc lands is shameful and cruel,” said Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte.
Grand Chief Hardlotte said Survivors should never have to defend the truth of their experiences and described attempts to deny residential school history as particularly harmful ahead of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
PAGC says reconciliation must be rooted in truth and in the experiences of Survivors. The organization is urging governments, police and public leaders to condemn demonstrations that deny or minimize the history and impacts of residential schools.
Join us!
In Prince Albert, the PAGC is inviting the public to join its Truth and Reconciliation Day gathering on Sept. 30 at PAGC Urban Services.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include an opening prayer, honour song, speakers, a presentation on the meaning of Orange Shirt Day, lunch and entertainment.
“This is a time to come together,” said Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte. “We invite everyone to wear orange and join us in honouring Survivors.”
PAGC is also encouraging people to learn more about the residential school system, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and to challenge denialism when they encounter it.
Survivors and those affected by the residential school system can access support through the Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
