(City of Red Deer)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

vigil monday night

City of Red Deer lowers flags in remembrance of 215 children found in Kamloops

May 31, 2021 | 10:53 AM

Flags at Red Deer City Hall and other municipal facilities will fly at half-mast until further notice.

The action comes in response to the discovery late last week of 215 bodies contained in a mass gravesite at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

Many municipalities and other orders of government have committed to lowering flags for 215 hours.

“This is a tragic reminder of a painful reality for our Indigenous community. Today, we lower our flags in solidarity with those who stand against these unthinkable actions that took place against these children and their families,” says Mayor Tara Veer. “As local government, we have a responsibility to do more. We have a responsibility to act, and to acknowledge our past, present and future as we continue to commit to Truth and Reconciliation for the betterment of all our cities and communities.”

Stuffed animals and shoes are placed by the lowered flags at Red Deer’s City Hall Park on Monday, May 31, 2021. (City of Red Deer)

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The City also encourages citizens to wear orange today — as is done each September for Orange Shirt Day — to promote awareness about the history of residential schools and the impact they continue to have on generations of people.

“‘[It is] an impact recognized as a cultural genocide, and an impact that continues today,” the release says.

Red Deer College President, Dr. Peter Nunoda, also issued a statement Monday afternoon, saying, “At Red Deer College, faculty, staff and students join our fellow Canadians in mourning the loss of 215 Indigenous children who were murdered while attending the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This is, sadly, one of far too many examples of the atrocities we now realize that occurred in residential schools across Canada. As educators, we strive to share our knowledge with our students, so that they may learn and use that knowledge in their careers and lives, for the betterment of society.”

RDC’s flags are also currently flying at half-mast.

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide 24/7 support to residential school survivors and others who are affected. Call 1 (866) 925-4419.

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