A memorial in Prince George to honour the 215 children found in a massive gravesite at the Kamloops Residential School has been moved.
The Lheidli T’enneh announced it is going from City Hall to the Exploration Place for temporary safekeeping.
The host first nation said the shoes and other items that make up the memorial are important to all Indigenous communities.
“Our Council supports discussions with our partner organizations such as the City of Prince George, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, The Exploration Place, and others to determine a suitable site for a permanent Memorial to the 215 children who never had the opportunity to grow and laugh and chase their dreams. We have said all along that the memory of their lives must never be forgotten.”
“This holds true for all children who died while attending residential schools across Canada. Our nation and The Exploration Place will keep this Memorial safe until a permanent site can be determined. We make this promise to the 215 children found buried in a mass grave at the Kamloops Residential School and to their families. We make this promise to all residential school survivors and to all those who have contributed something to the Memorial that has been on display at Prince George City Hall. Our nation thanks the City of Prince George for taking great care of the Memorial since it began to appear a week ago. We now accept responsibility to continue that care and safe-keeping with our partner The Exploration Place,” said Chief Dolleen Logan in a news release.