Statement on remains of 215 Indigenous children found at former residential school in BC

The Ottawa Mission shares in the mourning of the 215 Indigenous children discovered in an unmarked mass grave at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Our thoughts are with the families, the communities, residential school survivors and all others who mourn this enormous collective loss for our country.

We also join calls from those in the Indigenous community and others for the federal government and partners in residential schools to acknowledge and address the pain and injustice imposed upon First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Further, we urge these parties move quickly to implement all 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and to examine all current policies and actions today that result in continuing trauma.

As an organization that works closely with Indigenous clients and partners, we have seen the effects of intergenerational trauma and abuse that so many have suffered, including a significant and disproportionate burden of homelessness. We will continue to reflect on and learn how to best we can meet our responsibilities in supporting our clients who are First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

To learn more about the impact of residential schools on Indigenous peoples, we invite you to please explore the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada reports and calls to action.