Several events are planned and underway in the qathet region on Monday, May 31, to honour the 215 children found at the Kamloops Residential School.
According to Dillon Johnson, Tla’amin Nation executive council member, Tla’amin members will be hanging hearts with the names of loved ones who attended residential school. According to Johnson, these hearts will be hung on the fence at the Tla’amin soccer field.
“We will hang hearts and say our prayers in remembrance of not only the 215 children from the Kamloops Residential School, but, for all survivors and all lives lost and affected by the residential school system,” said Johnson.
Starting on Monday morning, Aaron George, a Powell River resident, is walking from Lang Bay to Tla’amin in honour of residential school survivors and those who did not survive. According to Johnson, upon reaching the Tla’amin village, George will be drummed in by a procession and will end his walk at the Tla’amin soccer field. The time of arrival is approximately 3 to 4 pm.
At Willingdon Beach, there will be a community-driven event, scheduled for 5 pm. Johnson said it will be a display to honour those who attended residential school and for those who didn’t make it home as planned. The ceremony will feature prayers, songs and drumming led by Tla’amin Nation.
“Attendees will wear orange t-shirts; songs will be sung in honour of the 215 children from Kamloops,” said Johnson. “Feel free to wear orange, bring cedar boughs and a pair of children’s shoes. Those planning on attending the event can bring the shoes and cedar boughs to the beach at 4:30 pm.”
