The Institute for Public Education BC stands in solidarity with the k’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation and the many families and communities dealing with the horrific confirmation that 215 children were buried on the grounds of what was known as the Kamloops Residential School.
We know that these children and thousands and thousands more over generations were stolen from their parents, imprisoned, and abused in institutions of church and state.
We understand that Indigenous people here and across the country are dealing with the anguish and trauma of this discovery and the pain of their own experiences.
We honor the generations of survivors and the children and youth who never returned.
We recommit to a vision of public education in which each and every Indigenous child is affirmed, supported, encouraged and valued.
We take to heart the TRC Calls to Action and will strive to ensure our work answers these calls. We call on all Canadians to demand that these calls to action are fully realized.