By Sheldon Spackman

Orange Shirt Day

Local author launches poetry book, “The Little Bones”

Sep 30, 2021 | 10:11 AM

In May of this year, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Chief Rosanne Casimir announced to Canadians that the remains of 215 children had been found by ground-penetrating radar near Kamloops, B.C..

The remains were found on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

As part of the preliminary investigation, some remains are believed to be of children as young as three-years-old.

The Kamloops Indian Residential School was in operation from 1890 to 1969, when the federal government took over administration from the Catholic Church to operate it as a residence for a day school, until closing in 1978.

The discovery touched central Alberta author and independent publisher Beverley Beckley deeply. So much so, it compelled the long-time resident of Red Deer to write about her feelings through poetry.

Last seen Nov. 28

Missing: Jimmy Eagle, 27, of Maskwacis

13h ago

the situation is dire

Two deaths, possibly from cold exposure, raise alarm amid Red Deer shelter situation and plight of homeless community

Dec 12, 2025

Lace-'Em Up!

Red Deer's outdoor rinks returning for another season

Dec 12, 2025

Beckley says, “The Little Bones” is a chapter book of poetry written for and inspired by the 215, and all the children who died at or survived Canadian residential schools.

“It all started with Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip in 2017,” recalls Beckley. “That’s when I started writing a book called the Red Dress Diaries, and that was poems that we dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. So I wanted to follow what Gord Downie called, The Call to Action, with emphasis on Action.”

Beckley says the discovery of the 215 happened while working on her Red Dress Diaries project and inspired her to launch a second project.

“I contacted Remembering the Children Society here in Red Deer and they work towards locally memorializing and doing work around the Red Deer Industrial School,” says Beckley. “I wanted to do a poetry book to memorialize not just the 215, but all the children. I have friends who are survivors of The 60s Scoop and residential schools, so I wanted to cover everybody.”

“I really want to keep the awareness in the forefront, so that Truth and Reconciliation can move ahead,” adds Beckley.

Central Albertans taking the time to reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Sept. 30, also known as Orange Shirt Day, can attend a book launch in downtown Red Deer the same day.

The launch will take place at The Velvet Olive Lounge (4928 C Ross Street) from 5:00-7:00 p.m..

Copies of The Little Bones can be purchased at The Velvet Olive Lounge during the event.

Digital copies can also be purchased by emailing Beckley herself, at BevBeckley@gmail.com or by visiting The Red Dress Diaries Poetry Project Facebook page.

A portion of the proceeds from “The Little Bones” book sales will go to the Remembering the Children Society.