Islands Trust Council Statement to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Community, Residential School Survivors, and Families

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Bowen, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Mayne, N. Pender, Salt Spring, Saturna, S. Pender, Thetis 
 
 
May 31, 2021  
 
Islands Trust Council Statement to the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Community, Residential School Survivors, and Families 
 
Lək
̓
 ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, B.C. – Today we hold in our hearts the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc community and all the families 
and survivors of Canada’s residential schools. On Thursday, May 27, 2021, we heard that 215 lost children had been found on 
the Kamloops Indian Residential School site, as Chief Rosanne Casimir confirmed, “an unthinkable loss”.  
 
The legacy and history of residential schools is lived each day by mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers of the loved ones lost, 
taken from their First Nation communities, from their homes. This horrendous finding is a reminder of the ongoing and 
shameful legacy of colonization. We stand with the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc community, residential school survivors and their 
families, and we respectfully acknowledge the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Leadership and their role as caretakers of the 215 lost 
children.   
 
"At this time, words have little meaning," shared Peter Luckham, Chair, Islands Trust Council. "The finding of this mass grave 
has reverberated around the world. The pain and grief for these lost children and their families is shared, but we will never 
experience the full magnitude of your pain and loss. The discovery of the 215 children is a historic wrong." 
 
During this time of mourning, we hope that all communities come together to light candles and honour the lives of the 215 
children lost to genocide. Islands Trust Council recognizes that more must be done to address the generational effect of 
residential schools. We commit to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the education, awareness, and 
advocacy needed for healing and reconciliation.    
 
Islands Trust Council acknowledges that the history and legacy of residential schools is a history and legacy that all Canadians 
must learn and understand. To learn about the history and legacy of residential schools, read the Truth and Reconciliation 
Commission of Canada Report and visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. To donate to residential school 
survivors, visit the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. We acknowledge this news is very painful for residential school 
survivors and their families, and for First Nations community members, and Indigenous Peoples living on the islands. We offer 
the reminder that the Indian Residential School Survivors Society Emergency Crisis Line is available 24/7 for those that may 
need counselling or support. Call 1-800-721-0066 or the 24-hr crisis line 1-866-925-4419. 
 
The Islands Trust is located within the treaty and territorial lands and waters of the BOḰEĆEN, K’ómoks, Lək
̓
 ʷəŋən, Lyackson, 
MÁLEXEȽ, Qualicum, Quw’utsun Tribes, scəẃaθən məsteyəxʷ, Scia’new, səl
̓
ilwətaʔɬ, SEMYOME

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