BCACC Statement on 215 Children

BCACC stands in solidarity and grief with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc community, and with all First Nations people across BC, who are grieving the discovery of the bodies of 215 children on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School grounds.

First Nations people feel the effects of the trauma inflicted on their communities by Canada’s residential school system every day. Painful discoveries such as this grave both confirm what is already known lived experience and reopen wounds for survivors and their families.

We know that there are not enough words to meaningfully express our sadness and horror at the treatment of Indigenous People and we recognize the magnitude of the wounds left behind.
We encourage you to please reach out for mental health support and share the following mental health support lines for Indigenous people, Residential School Survivors and their families:

24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line offering support services and crisis referrals: 1-866-925-4419

24-hour Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Counselling and Crisis Intervention: 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca

24-hour KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717

Tsow-Tun-Le-Lum Society: 1-888-403-3123

Indian Residential School Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066 or 604-985-4464

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