Lighting a Sacred Fire and Ceremony

The staff of M'Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre are deeply saddened by the unearthing of 215 children buried in an unmarked location at the Kamloops Residential School. We are heartbroken and offer our condolence to the children's families, friends, loved ones and community of these beautiful spirits.

We are lighting a sacred fire and having ceremony in the way in which our grandfathers and grandmothers would have done to give these unrested spirits some closure.

After the Pipe Ceremony and Protocol Drum Songs, and Prayers there will be an opportunity for visitors to drop by to offer Assema (Tobacco) at the fire.

You are invited Friday June 4th from 11-2:30.

Unfortunately we will not be able to gather as we would normally. We ask that you abide by all provincial guidelines and recognize that the centre is closed to the public. Please observe social distancing and wear masks. We are trying to do the best we can in these hard times.

We are all deeply affected by this news and know this will bring many feelings and memories to the surface. We acknowledge the thousands of residential school survivors who are continuing to heal and cope with this tragic lived experience. We acknowledge the impacts that this has on all our community.

This is a reminder of the work we have left to do in this country. We call on all levels of government to truly commit to the 94 Calls to Action in the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. We call on us all to listen to the workplan being released today on MMIWG2S.

For those who need support right now, or anytime in the future, please call:
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, 1-866-925-4419.