Vigil in Stoney Creek for B.C. residential school victims draws large turnout

Hamilton | Ontario | Latest News |

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Published May 31, 2021 at 10:57 pm

A tribute to honour the 215 children found in a mass grave outside of a former residential school grew to nearly twice the size organizers had hoped by the end of a vigil in lower Stoney Creek on Monday.

Throughout the day, dozens of people left shoes at The Eagles Among Us monument outside the Battlefield Museum at King and Centennial, in remembrance of the children whose remains were found buried at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.. Organizers had hoped to collect 215 pairs, or one for every child whose remains have been confirmed to be at the site. (The final report has not been finished).

By 8:30 p.m., at least 410 pairs had been collected, organizers said. They plan to donate them to area Indigenous agencies.

At the vigil, dozens of mourners participated in traditional prayers and songs. Organizers also state they will collect the shoes on Wednesday evening (June 2).

Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation said last week that there is still the possibility more remains could be discovered. The report on the site will be finalized around the end of June.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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