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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.