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City lowers flags to honour the 215 children buried at Kamloops Residential School site

The City of Wetaskiwin lowered its flags to half-mast Monday May 31, 2021 in remembrance.
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The City of Wetaskiwin lowered its flags to half-mast on Monday May 31, 2021 to honour and remember the 215 Indigenous children buried at the Kamloops Residential School site.

“It is absolutely devastating to hear that the remains of 215 children have been discovered on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops,” stated Mayor Tyler Gandam.

“The community of Wetaskiwin holds the victims and their families in our thoughts, and we hope these young souls are able to rest in peace.”

The City says their flags will remain at half-mast for 215 hours— one hour for every child found.

The City also states that they recognize this discovery may be triggering to those who attended, or who had family members that attended, the Ermineskin Residential School.

A Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.

The City is encouraging everyone to wear orange on Monday May 31 to show solidarity in remembrance of the 215 children who lost their lives.