May 31, 2021
For immediate release
The Long Plain First Nation Tribal Government joins the many Nations across Turtle Island in collectively mourning when we learned of the tragic mass gravesite found at the former Kamloops Residential School. We send our warmest condolences to the communities and to the families of these precious children who never made it home.
It is a stark reality and serves as a harsh reminder of the genocide and racism Indigenous people have faced in Canada. The odds of dying for children in “Indian” Residential Schools was greater than that of Canadians serving in WWII. (CBCNEWS, 2015) The attempted extinguishing of our culture through our greatest assets, our children will forever remain a stain on Canada’s legacy.
Long Plain First Nation has been and will remain committed to ensuring any new developments are vetted by ground penetrating radar as we have in the past. We do recognize more work needs to be done in this area and we will be requesting support from the Government of Canada.
A Traditional Feast and Ceremony will be undertaken at the National Historical Site located at the former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 11:00 am. A Four Day Sacred Fire is being kept at the Spirit Lodge where people are able to place offerings of tobacco and prayers.
All Tribal Flags will be flown at half-mast to honor those that were lost for a period of seven days.
