The discovery of a mass children’s grave at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. was a point of discussion at the Yukon Forum.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations officials got together for the Yukon Forum on Friday.
One of the main focuses of the conversation was moving forward from the discovery of a mass children’s grave at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. Grand Chief Peter Johnston says it will be up to the grass roots people such as residential school survivors, Elders, and community members to lead the way. Johnston says he has heard about Lower Post and Kwanlin Dün First Nation taking about what to do next. Last Monday, the federal government said they would provide $27 million to help communities search more residential school sites, but the details are still unclear. Yukon Premier Sandy Silver says they won’t wait for the money to take action.
“Right now, in Kamloops, we’re dealing with a crime scene. We can go down two different paths. We can share information before the whole nation turns to a similar situation, or we can do as much as we can do in each region across Canada to share as much information as we possibly have about people who have gone to residential school in each region, where they’ve gone, any documentation that we have - now is the time to share before this goes any further.” Said Silver in a telephone press conference.
Chief Johnston says he wants to see the catholic church take responsibility for their actions.
“The bishop here seeks forgiveness from the nations but this is beyond forgiveness, we need action, we need to see some concrete responsibility being taken here.” Said Johnston.
A final report on the remains found in Kamloops is expected at the end of the month
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