Justin Trudeau to visit B.C. First Nation weeks after Truth and Reconciliation day apology
The prime minister will be visiting a B.C. First Nation next week, after calling a vacation he took in the province on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation a "mistake."
The nation announced Friday that Justin Trudeau will visit the Kamloops Indian Band, Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc, on Monday.
His agenda for the trip includes a meeting with Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir and others at the nation's pow wow arbour.
During that event, he will meet with a survivor of the Indian Residential School system. Also in attendance will be Kukpi7 Wayne Christian of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, and Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald.
The visit comes nearly two weeks after Trudeau issued a public apology for a vacation he and his family took in Tofino, B.C., on Sept. 30. He chose the vacation over events he'd been invited to by the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc that took part on that day.
A public itinerary suggested the prime minister was in meetings, but his office later confirmed he'd been on the West Coast.
He addressed the controversy surrounding the trip last week, saying he regretted the decision.
"The first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation was a time for Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people alike to reflect and connect, think about the past but also focus on the future," he said during an announcement on Oct. 6.
At that time, he said he'd spoken to Chief Casimir and apologized for not being there.
A discovery earlier this year in Casimir's nation of Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc was a shock to some, but for others, was evidence backing stories they'd already heard.
Hundreds of unmarked graves were uncovered at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School through the use of ground-penetrating radar. Initial estimates suggested there may be as many as 215 graves at the site, and there's still more land to be searched.
The search began in part because of the discovery of a child's rib bone near what used to be an apple orchard. Survivors of the school described children as young as six being woken up during the night to dig graves in the orchard.
A tooth was also located in the area, and a section of land measuring 7,000 square metres was studied.
In an update in July, a specialist said there are still nearly 650,000 square metres to survey before the total number of graves is confirmed at the site that held Canada's largest residential school.
One of the challenges to these estimates is that it's difficult to know if an anomaly is a grave when there's no casket.
While the prime minister was in Tofino, Casimir was speaking at an event meant to honour those who survived the school system, and those who didn't.
At that time, she told reporters that honesty and transparency are key to reconciliation, and called for full disclosure of church and government records related to the schools.
With files from CTVNews.ca and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.