A British Columbia First Nation is confirming over 160 unmarked and undocumented Residential School graves on Penelakut Island, formerly known as Kuper Island.
The chief of the Penelakut Tribe, Joan Brown, issued a statement marked July 8th which began circulating online on Monday.
She explains the graves are on the community’s grounds and the shore of the island.
She says her aim is to raise awareness of the former Kuper Island Industrial School located near Vancouver Island.
Chief Brown says it’s “impossible to get over the acts of genocide and human rights violations.”
She adds many children from surrounding communities also attended the school.
The statement says this is a time to “face the trauma because of these acts of genocide” so the community can heal.
A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former residential school students. The toll-free line can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-866-925-4419.
