The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) is devastated to learn of the remains of 215 children found at the site of a former residential school for First People children in Kamloops, British Columbia. Along with staff and members of our Catholic community, we acknowledge the genocide of First People children and will endeavour to work towards reconciliation by putting words into actions. We know this is not the first grave site found and it will not be the last. We cannot bring the Young Ones back who did not make it home, but we can make sure it never happens again. We add our voices to those who mourn, who stand with all families, who have lost children. We commit as a Board to do better, to use our voice and create allyship with the Original People of this Land. We are committed to the work of Truth and Reconciliation in our YCDSB schools. In order to rebuild and reconcile the relationship with First People communities, it is crucial that First People histories and perspectives continue to be taught in our schools. We do this by engaging with community partners and by continuing to support the delivery of First People education in an inclusive and equitable manner from K-12. We stand in solidarity with the First People members in our community and across our nation as we grieve. We are reminded that “Every Child Matters.” As a symbol of our collective grief, we have lowered the flags at our board office and all of our schools. As well, students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Thursday, June 3rd – it can be a shirt, pants, dress, hat, jewelry – whatever you have to offer is welcome. We pray for the souls of the 215 young lives that were taken from their families and taken from our world. We pray for truth. We pray for reconciliation. We pray for healing.
As a Catholic school community we ask you to remember these children and their families in all of the ways that you so choose — perhaps it is through prayer, perhaps by lighting a candle, perhaps by smudging. Honour these and the other lives lost in the residential school system in a way that makes sense to you. We want to assure our students and families that as a Catholic school board, we will continue to engage you in a collaborative way that provides ongoing support, and creates a safe and caring environment. We encourage you to discuss these events at home, and to watch for signs of any fears and anxieties that you or your children may experience.