A sombre ceremony today in Bracebridge’s Memorial Park to honour the 215 Indigenous child victims found in an unmarked grave at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in BC.
One of the speakers was residential school survivor and Elder Lila Tabobondung, who said there were 150,000 children who were taken to Indian residential schools.
“There were 2,000 children that were scooped up in the 60’s and taken to non-native homes,” she added. “4,100 children died. When these things were going on – not too many people noticed.”
Now, on this Indigenous Peoples Day in 2021, Tobabondung hopes the world is taking real notice.
“This time people stood still and paid attention,” she said. “This time people reached out for help trying to understand the sound of hurt and trauma that echoed in time and space. This time around the world – we want to do something.”
Today’s ceremony was brought together with the help of local activist Tricia Cowie (below, at right) and Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison.
A large crowd came from far and wide to hear the speakers which also included Traditional Elder Doug Pawis (bottom pic).
Local political dignitaries in attendance included Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith, Bracebridge Deputy Mayor Rick Maloney, Parry sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller, Muskoka Lakes Mayor Phil Harding and District Chair John Klinck.
“I was honoured to attend today’s ceremony at Memorial Park and hear from Elder Lila Tobobondung and Elder Doug Pawis about their experience in Residential Schools, and growing up as an Indigenous person in Canada,” said Mayor Graydon Smith. “Their words are deeply moving and I encourage all residents of Bracebridge to continue to educate themselves about what life is like, and has been like, for Indigenous
Peoples.”
The ceremony also included Indigenous drumming and 215 tobacco ties, made especially for those in attendance as symbolic reminders.
Photos via Matt Sitler, Country 102