NAPE mourns and honours the 215 Indigenous children found on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory who died at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. NAPE stands in solidarity with the members of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and all Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island.
It is estimated that more than 6,000 children died at residential schools across Canada. This discovery is a reminder of Canada’s shameful history of colonial violence that continues to impact survivors, their families and all Indigenous Peoples to this day.
The last residential school in Canada closed in 1996. In Newfoundland and Labrador, residential schools operated in Cartwright, Makkovik, Nain, St. Anthony and Northwest River.
Provincial and federal governments must do more to reconcile the devastating impact of the residential school system here in this province and across the country. NAPE is committed to moving beyond symbolic gestures by taking real action and using the resources at our disposal to support the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
What NAPE members can do:
1. Read the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Final Report and Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. These are urgent calls to action and it is incumbent on all of us – governments, organizations and all people – to play a role and take meaningful action.
2. Call your Member of Parliament and demand they support the calls to action and calls for justice.
3. Donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
4. Support local and regional organizations, activists and initiatives led by Indigenous people and amplify Indigenous voices in your community.
5. Participate in Indigenous History Month, which starts today.
First Light has extended Drop-in Support for anyone impacted by this news.
Drop-in hours are:
Tuesday, June 1 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Wednesday, June 2 to Friday, June 4 – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Transportation is available. Please call 726-5908 to arrange transportation.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide 24/7 support to residential school survivors and others who are affected:
24 Hour Crisis Line for Residential School Survivors: 1-866-925-4419
24 Hour First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Line: 1-855-242-3310
24 Hour Province-Wide Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-737-4668
