Nuu-chah-nulth Territories: Nuu-chah-nulth peoples and many other First Nations people across this country have been bracing themselves for the news that would come out today by the Williams Lake First Nation regarding more potential graves found around the former grounds of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School that was in operation within their territory for 90 years.
We all knew there would be more numbers of children who had been buried in unmarked graves than what has already been uncovered and shared through the unearthing of truths we have witnessed thus far. Since the T’kemlups Indian Residential School discovery of 215 unmarked graves, the numbers of children who didn’t make it home has increased at other residential school sites across the country. A reality and truth that has been oppressed and hidden for far too long and a reality and truth that many survivors and families have had to live with throughout their lives without appropriate care and supports.
Our hearts are broken thinking of such a dark end to the lives of 93 beautiful children who could have had good, meaningful lives and contributed to our communities.
The results announced today are preliminary and may not reflect the entire immensity of bodies yet to be found.
“The practice of burying children and not notifying families and not sending them home is reprehensible and only condemnation can be found toward the Catholic Oblates. Only guilt at wrongdoing can be taken from this practice. Nuu-chah-nulth send our love, strength and prayers to the peoples of the Williams Lake First Nation, all those families whose precious ones did not go home and grieve with you for such atrocities,” says President Judith Sayers
Mariah Charleson, Vice-President, adds, “I cried listening to today’s announcement. I cried for the children who didn’t have the opportunity to live a life they so desperately deserved. I cried for the children who suffered and those who continue to suffer the effects of these federally funded and church-administered institutions created solely to ‘rid the Indian of the child’ and to commit genocide. Today we heard the abuses that took place at St. Joseph Mission Residential school, the rapes, the beatings, the burning of babies, the countless inhumane acts of genocide inflicted on our people. I, yet again, feel sick to my stomach but this unearthing of truth is vital to move forward.”
We urge those who are traumatized and negatively impacted by this news to seek help at one of the many services available.
We all must work together to ensure this never happens again to our children. We must also work together to reveal the truths of how our people were harmed and support each other along the way through this critical and extremely difficult journey.
As more truths about residential schools are revealed, the immensity of achieving reconciliation creates a great gap between governments, churches and First Nations. We call on all parties to find resolutions for these insidious practices and set aside the dark history, but to always remember so they do not ever happen again. We call on governments to provide all the supports needed to First Nations as they go through these processes.
