Skip to content

Hundreds gather for Island First Nation’s March For The Children

Occasion honours residential school survivors and those who never made it home
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_10
Ray Harris on the Waterwheel Park Bandshell stage. (Photo by Don Bodger)

The wording on the back of some participant T-shirts brought the purpose of the Penelakut Tribe’s March For The Children to the forefront: “To honour the children who survived Indian Residential School and remember those who never made it home.”

A few hundred people gathered for the second annual march in Chemainus Monday, with a particular focus close to home pertaining to the Kuper Island Residential School that previously existed on the island now known as Penelakut across the water from Chemainus.

The Kuper Island Industrial School operated from 1889 until 1975. It was run by the Catholic Church until 1969 when the federal government took it over. Last year, the Penelakut Tribe disclosed to neighbouring First Nations that more than 160 unmarked graves were found on the grounds of the former residential school.

Related story: More than 1,500 march in support of Penelakut Tribe’s March for the Children

Marchers of all ages – clad primarily in orange T-shirts – gathered at the Salish Sea Market near the Chemainus-Penelakut-Thetis ferry terminal for a route that went up Oak Street, along Willow Street through downtown and onto portions of Victoria Road, Croft Street and Mill Street before ending up at the Waterwheel Park Bandshell for a ceremony that included speeches, a time for reflection and performances by the Penelakut Dance Group.

It wasn’t quite as a hot for the morning proceedings as it had been in previous days, much to the relief of those in attendance. Water was still made available to members of the crowd who wanted it and orange roses given out to march participants provided a nice touch.

Jill Harris made the opening remarks and a blessing, saying it was a sacred event where “we’re having to remember the children who attended the Kuper Island Industrial Residential School.

“In this coming year we will do something to change what has happened,” she added.

Ken Thomas said he was grateful for the turnout to “bring attention to the elders we lost in the residential schools, the children that never had any names and never made it home.

“We’re here to bring attention to this serious issue.”

“What’s happened to us was uncalled for,” said Ray Harris.

Youth and experience joined together on the bandshell stage to perform a series of dances and significant songs.


@chemainusnews
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_11
Penelakut Dance Group performs. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_12
Penelakut Dance Group. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_13
Victory song is performed by the Penelakut Dance Group. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_2
Marchers proceed on the route from the bottom of Oak Street. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_3
Children behind a large sign lead the March for the Children. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_4
Mistaya Sylvester, with baby Rylie Charlie (eight months old) in tow, and sister Sidney Sylvester hand out orange roses on the march route. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_5
Mistaya Sylvester, with baby Rylie Charlie (eight months old) in tow, and sister Sidney Sylvester hand out orange roses on the march route. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_6
March along Willlow Street. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_7
March turns the corner for the final stage onto Mill Street. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_8
Opening blessing at the Waterwheel Park Bandshell from Jill Harris. (Photo by Don Bodger)
29956265_web1_220804-CHC-Penelakut-march-happens_9
Ken Thomas addresses the crowd at the Waterwheel Park Bandshell. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
Read more