Mémorial pour les 215 enfants retrouvés dans un pensionnat autochtone

Alors que les drapeaux de l'hôtel de ville à la Cité de / City of Clarence-Rockland sont en berne jusqu’au au mardi 8 juin, à la mémoire des 215 enfants des Premières Nations qui ont été récemment retrouvés enterrés en Colombie-Britannique, un groupe de résidents locaux ont décidé de leur rendre hommage à leur manière. 

L'événement, qui s'est déroulé mercredi et jeudi après-midi, encourageait les gens à venir déposer des chaussures/jouets d'enfants en guise de souvenir. 

Écoutez ci-dessous le candidat fédéral du NPD / NDP Association Glengarry Prescott & Russell , Konstantine Malakos, parler de ce qu'il pense que le gouvernement canadien devrait faire à la suite de cette découverte tragique.

******************

While the city hall flags at the City of Clarence-Rockland are at half mast until Tuesday, June 8, in memory of the 215 First Nations children who were recently found buried in British Columbia, a group of local residents have decided to pay tribute to them in their own way.

The event, which took place Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, encouraged people to come drop off children's shoes / toys as a reminder.

Listen to the full interview to hear NDP federal candidate for Glengarry Prescott & Russel,  Konstantine Malikos, talk about what he thinks the Canadian government should do following this tragic discovery.

The remains of the children found in British Columbia are a stark reminder of a very dark chapter of not only Canada's history, but very much of the country's ongoing present. 

With over 150,000 Indigenous children taken forcibly from their homes all over the country by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police under the order of Canada's politicians, these children were placed into a care system known as "Residential Schools". 

Almost every single one went on to suffer severe physical, emotional and sexual abuse with close to half of those dying whilst still in the "Schools". 

Dating back to the 1870's the latest "Residential School" to close their doors was as recently as 1996 and, although there was already strong opinions amongst the public that there is an active role to be played in the reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and Canadians, this latest discovery is likely to increase public momentum. 

The memorial held in Clarence-Rockland will remain until at least the 8th of June, when the flags will be lowered, with local Councilors expected to make a statement regarding the municipalities own Indigenous relationship. 

Whilst more excavations are undoubtedly coming, identifying the children's out in British Columbia has recently stalled due to the fact that there is a lack of records.

Stay tuned with TVC22 as we bring you more on our regions Indigenous past and what can be done to improve the future for all.