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Hundreds gather for Island First NationB次元官网网址檚 March For The Children

Occasion honours residential school survivors and those who never made it home
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Ray Harris on the Waterwheel Park Bandshell stage. (Photo by Don Bodger)

The wording on the back of some participant T-shirts brought the purpose of the Penelakut TribeB次元官网网址檚 March For The Children to the forefront: B次元官网网址淭o honour the children who survived Indian Residential School and remember those who never made it home.B次元官网网址

A few hundred people gathered for the second annual march in Chemainus Monday, with a particular focus close to home pertaining to the Kuper Island Residential School that previously existed on the island now known as Penelakut across the water from Chemainus.

The Kuper Island Industrial School operated from 1889 until 1975. It was run by the Catholic Church until 1969 when the federal government took it over. Last year, the Penelakut Tribe disclosed to neighbouring First Nations that more than 160 unmarked graves were found on the grounds of the former residential school.

Marchers of all ages B次元官网网址 clad primarily in orange T-shirts B次元官网网址 gathered at the Salish Sea Market near the Chemainus-Penelakut-Thetis ferry terminal for a route that went up Oak Street, along Willow Street through downtown and onto portions of Victoria Road, Croft Street and Mill Street before ending up at the Waterwheel Park Bandshell for a ceremony that included speeches, a time for reflection and performances by the Penelakut Dance Group.

It wasnB次元官网网址檛 quite as a hot for the morning proceedings as it had been in previous days, much to the relief of those in attendance. Water was still made available to members of the crowd who wanted it and orange roses given out to march participants provided a nice touch.

Jill Harris made the opening remarks and a blessing, saying it was a sacred event where B次元官网网址渨eB次元官网网址檙e having to remember the children who attended the Kuper Island Industrial Residential School.

B次元官网网址淚n this coming year we will do something to change what has happened,B次元官网网址 she added.

Ken Thomas said he was grateful for the turnout to B次元官网网址渂ring attention to the elders we lost in the residential schools, the children that never had any names and never made it home.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e here to bring attention to this serious issue.B次元官网网址

B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 happened to us was uncalled for,B次元官网网址 said Ray Harris.

Youth and experience joined together on the bandshell stage to perform a series of dances and significant songs.



don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca

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Penelakut Dance Group performs. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Penelakut Dance Group. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Victory song is performed by the Penelakut Dance Group. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Marchers proceed on the route from the bottom of Oak Street. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Children behind a large sign lead the March for the Children. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Mistaya Sylvester, with baby Rylie Charlie (eight months old) in tow, and sister Sidney Sylvester hand out orange roses on the march route. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Mistaya Sylvester, with baby Rylie Charlie (eight months old) in tow, and sister Sidney Sylvester hand out orange roses on the march route. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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March along Willlow Street. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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March turns the corner for the final stage onto Mill Street. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Opening blessing at the Waterwheel Park Bandshell from Jill Harris. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Ken Thomas addresses the crowd at the Waterwheel Park Bandshell. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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