CCRC statement on the findings at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School

Late last week, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced the devastating news that the findings from a survey of the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School have uncovered the remains of 215 children buried at the site. 

It appears that these remains are of missing children whose deaths have not been documented. According to CBC News, The Kamloops Indian Residential School was in operation from 1890 to 1969, when the federal government took over administration from the Catholic Church to operate it as a residence for a day school, until closing in 1978.

The CCRC stands with First Nations, Métis and Inuit allies, as well as other non-Indigenous organizations, in condemning these deaths. The murder of these children, and thousands more, illustrates the complicity of so many institutions in the state-sanctioned violence that occurred at these sites. 

Furthermore, we call on Canada to fully comply with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders and to stop fighting Indigenous children and residential school survivors in court. The court case resumes June 14-18, 2021.


To learn more, visit:

  • The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS): a provincial organization that provides services to Indian Residential School Survivors
  • Learn more about Dr. Peter Bryce, whistleblower on residential schools
  • Project of Heart is an inquiry based, hands-on, collaborative, inter-generational, artistic journey of seeking truth about the history of Aboriginal people in Canada.
  • Learn more about the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, which stands with First Nations children, youth and families so they have equitable opportunities to grow up safely at home, be healthy, get a good education and be proud of who they are.

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