A few 91原创 churches are holding a memorial vigil and walk to honour National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, which occurs annually on Sept. 30.
This Saturday, for a third year in a row, the public is invited to gather and reflect, learn, and move forward in reconciliation.
The event will be hosted by Rev. Sophia Ducey, a minister with the United Churches of 91原创, and Cecelia Reekie, cultural presenter with the 91原创 School District.
It鈥檚 the work of settlers, to support reconciliation efforts and work to build relationships, Ducey said at last year鈥檚 vigil.
Until she became a pastor, Ducey admitted she knew nothing about the history of residential schools.
鈥淚t鈥檚 my everyday walk and hope that I can be a part of the reparation of the harm that was caused over seven generations,鈥� she said.
This weekend鈥檚 event starts with guided activities to reflect and recommit to reconciliation at 5 p.m., followed by a memorial service and walk at 6:30 p.m.
It will be at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum, located at 21559 Fraser Hwy.
In Canada, more than 150,000 children were taken from their families and sent to residential schools where they were forbidden to speak their own languages, and were often abused and mistreated. According to Scientific American, technology such as ground-penetrating radar has provided evidence of more than 1,300 remains at various school sites across Canada.
Recently, the St贸:l艒 Nation in the Fraser Valley revealed findings of 158 children who died at three former residential school sites and one former hospital. There鈥檚 also a possibility of several unmarked graves at St. Mary鈥檚 Residential School in Mission.
Through archival research, the team confirmed deaths of children who either died as a direct result of their school experience or while under the care of the institution.
The research team confirmed with certainty the deaths of 96 children between the ages of five and 20 at the Coqualeetza hospital, 37 at Coqualeetza school, 20 at St. Mary鈥檚 and five at All Hallows School.
鈥淥ur people are carrying mixed emotions. We鈥檙e on a journey to confirming the truth that we carry in our DNA. We鈥檙e on our journey to discover facts to what we have already heard from our great grandparents, our grandparents, past chiefs and leaders about what took place in residential schools,鈥� Ts鈥檌:m Grand Chief Doug Kelly said.
In December 2021, the St贸:l艒 Nation announced a three-year plan to search the grounds of Coqualeetza Industrial Institute and Residential School in Chilliwack, All Hallow School in Yale, St. Mary鈥檚, and the Coqualeetza Indian Hospital.
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The , which offers emotional support and crisis referral services for residential school survivors and their families, can be reached toll-free at 1-800-721-0066.
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