First Nations groups from B.C., Washington State hold cross-border ceremony after Kamloops discovery
Members of First Nations groups from both B.C. and Washington State gathered at the Peace Arch border crossing Saturday to hold a joint ceremony after the discovery of children’s remains at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
The gathering was held on the United States side of Peace Arch Park, as the Canadian side remains closed. Typically, any Canadians entering that section of the park would be forced to quarantine for 14 days upon return, though RCMP officers present at the border gave some leeway. Mounties agreed to take photos of I.D. documents, like a driver’s license, and allowed Canadians to attend the ceremony and freely return over the border.
Around 100 people set up in the park for drumming, prayers and speeches.
Lawrence Solomon is the chairman of the Lummi Nation in Washington State. He says the gathering was important for nations on both sides of the border to “come together and support one another.”
“No words can express the deep grief we feel as Indigenous people,” Solomon told CTV News Vancouver. “My prayers are with the children and families affected by the residential school system. May the creator wrap you and love and bring you strength and healing.”
Celestine Camille is from the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. Her mother attended the Kamloops residential school.
“I’ve always considered myself a second-generation survivor,” Camille said. “I consider these babies – I call them babies – as aunties and uncles that I haven’t met. They didn’t make it home.”
The ceremony comes amid growing calls for the Catholic Church to take responsibility for its part in the residential school system. On Saturday, Pope Francis met with two Canadian Cardinals at the Vatican.
Both the chief of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are calling for an apology from the pope.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.