Brandon University is offering space for the community to display pairs of shoes in memory of the Indigenous children whose remains were found at a former residential school in B.C.
On its website, BU says “the shoe display, a grassroots memorial that has been started around the country, is now begun in the central courtyard at BU. Everyone is invited to come and add shoes to the memorial, to contemplate the number of victims of the residential school system in Canada, and to grieve.
“Like everyone, I am horrified that these children have lain so long in unmarked graves,” said BU President David Docherty, who earlier ordered that the flag at BU be flown at half-staff. “Although we take a moment now to pause and solemnly acknowledge the losses, as well as the deep pain that remains, we must also be compelled to action.”
The shoes will remain in the BU courtyard for the week, and people can add to them at any time. Parking is available nearby off 18th Street, or near the library. There are also benches available, as well as ample space for people to observe public health orders related to gathering sizes and distancing.
At the end of the day on Friday, they will be gathered up, and shoes in good condition will be donated.”
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In a social media post, Brandon Riverbank says “In light of the mass grave recently revealed at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, Brandon Riverbank / Brandon Tourism has lowered its flags and is asking the public to donate children’s shoes to a display outside. We are creating this display to honour and mourn the 215 children found in Kamloops, residential school survivors, and all the other children across Canada who did not make it home.
(Image – Brandon Riverbank)
The post goes on to say “The residential school system operated in Canada for over 100 years, with the last one closing in 1996. It is estimated that over 150,000 children attended these schools, and thousands of children did not make it home. In addition to the schools being tools of cultural genocide, abuse and neglect ran rampant. There were over 130 schools built across Canada, including one in Brandon. The Brandon Indian Residential School closed in 1972, and similarly to many residential school sites across Canada, it is believed by many that there is a mass grave in the area. Please take the time out of your day to remember this atrocity and all those who have been affected by this system.
Our display will remain up for four days, in accordance with the length of time some sacred fires are burning. After four days, the shoes will be donated to children in need.
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line is open 24 hours per day and 7 days per week at 1-(800)-721-0066.”
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A statement from Brandon Police Chief Wayne Balcean said “Today (May 31) the flags at the Brandon Police Service and at all City of Brandon facilities have been lowered to half-staff. We do this recognizing and acknowledging the pain and grief felt for the 215 lives lost at the Kamloops site while also knowing that there were so many more locations across Canada that had Indian Residential Schools and have experienced the same suffering.
Our Police Service and all our employees extends our deepest condolences to every person affected by this tragedy especially those of Indigenous decent and those affected personally by the trauma suffered (individual or generational) because of Indian Residential Schools. The Police Service continues to work with our local Knowledge Keepers and Elders on our path forward to Truth and Reconciliation.”
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And on social media, an image of Samaritan House Food Bank staff and volunteers showing support for “the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation community as our nation mourns the loss of the 215 children found at the former Kamloops Residential School.
(Image – Samaritan House – Facebook)
Our hearts are with all the survivors of Residential Schools and the families of those who never made it home.
#orangeshirt #everychildmatters #truthandreconciliation
