We continue to colour feathers in remembrance of the 215 children found at the former Kamloops Residential school and those found on other residential school sites. The feather can be downloaded here and there are printed copies available outside the church door to be picked up. Please return your coloured feathers to the church, and we will add them to the display in the front window. We must listen, learn and witness if we are to be part of reconciliation.
Everyone is invited to participate.
Where to get Every Child Matters Orange Shirts
Here is the story of how Orange shirt day came to be. Please read it so that we understand why these shirts are significant.
https://www.orangeshirtday.org/
There is a link on the website to the STORE, but here is the direct link to purchase the 2021 Orange Shirt Day design.
https://www.orangeshirtday.net/en/cad/category/orange-shirt-2021–31434.html
https://www.nativenorthwestselect.ca/
Here is another option:
If you are purchasing a shirt with Indigenous art on it, please make sure that the art is created by an Indigenous person (both the above shirts are). Also, consider purchasing from a store/person that at least part of the profits are going to the artist and/or an Indigenous charity (both of the above give donations to various Indigenous organizations).
There are many more options out there, people are having a hard time keeping them in stock. Both of these are taking orders to arrive in 3-4 weeks.
Kamloops Residential School: A Time for Mourning and Support
We are all processing the devastating and heartbreaking news about the remains of 215 children buried at the Kamloops Residential School in different ways. I know that you join me in deep reflection and respectful witness of this news and its impact, especially on our Indigenous families, friends, colleagues and communities. ~ Treena Duncan, Executive Minister, Pacific Mountain Regional Council.
For more information about Pacific Mountain Regional Council’s Indigenous Ministry:
https://pacificmountain.ca/ministry/indigenous-ministry/
Read the Pacific Mountain Regional Council’s reflections and ways of remembering including ways to
financially contribute: https://pacificmountain.ca/remembering-the-215
From Indigenous Ministries and Justice at The United Church of Canada: read the prayers from the Moderator and the Rev. Murray Pruden, National Executive Minister, Indigenous Ministries & Justice.
If you are a residential school or intergenerational survivor and this content is upsetting, please call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
Indigenous Canada is an online course (12 lessons) from the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Enroll for free.
For more information: https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada