In a bid to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, two men from Alberta, Adam McDonald and Stanley Gilbert Jean, have begun a walk to Ottawa.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
McDonald and Jean arrived in Edmonton on Monday, June 7, as a reception was organised for them near the Alberta legislature.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
As per Jean, the walk marks his first journey to raise awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. He said that the expedition and his sobriety are both very important for him.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
McDonald said that he began to advocate for more awareness about the issue by walking five years ago.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
He further said that he has already walked every major highway in Canada. He claimed that once he starts something, he will never give up.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Monday night’s reception was organized by Judith Gale, who is the leader of the Bear Clan Patrol Edmonton Beaver Hills House.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
She said that the cause is important to her because her sister was murdered more than 40 years ago. She also said that she does not believe that the police took her case seriously.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
She claimed that it is a cause that is dear to her heart and she is doing it for her sister. 
&nbsp; 
After the inquiry’s final report was increased, the commissioner, Marion Buller, told a crowd in Ottawa that “this is genocide”.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The report included 200 recommendations to multiple levels of government. The federal government has now issued its action plan for implementing those recommendations.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a bid to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, two men from Alberta, Adam McDonald and Stanley Gilbert Jean, have begun a walk to Ottawa.

In a bid to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, two men from Alberta, Adam McDonald and Stanley Gilbert Jean, have begun a walk to Ottawa. McDonald and Jean arrived in Edmonton on Monday, June 7, as a reception was organised for them near the Alberta legislature. As per Jean, the walk marks his first journey to raise awareness about missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. He said that the expedition and his sobriety are both very important for him. McDonald said that he began to advocate for more awareness about the issue by walking five years ago. He further said that he has already walked every major highway in Canada. He claimed that once he starts something, he will never give up. Monday night’s reception was organized by Judith Gale, who is the leader of the Bear Clan Patrol Edmonton Beaver Hills House. She said that the cause is important to her because her sister was murdered more than 40 years ago. She also said that she does not believe that the police took her case seriously. She claimed that it is a cause that is dear to her heart and she is doing it for her sister. After the inquiry’s final report was increased, the commissioner, Marion Buller, told a crowd in Ottawa that “this is genocide”. The report included 200 recommendations to multiple levels of government. The federal government has now issued its action plan for implementing those recommendations. (With inputs from agencies)

Alberta men begin walk to Ottawa to honour missing, murdered indigenous women and girls

Canada's Indigenous services minister said Wednesday it is "shameful" that the Pope has never formally apologized for abuses at the country's Catholic-run indigenous residential schools, which he termed "labour camps."

Marc Miller's comments followed the recent discovery of unmarked graves of 215 children in Kamloops at one of 139 boarding schools set up a century ago to forcibly assimilate Canada's indigenous peoples. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remains-of-215-children-of-kamloops-indian-residential-school-discovered-387995">Also read | Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered</a> 
 
"I do, I do," the minister told a news conference when asked if he supports growing indigenous calls for a papal apology that dates back to a 2015 truth and reconciliation commission report, and before.

"I think it is shameful that they haven't done it, that it hasn't been done to date," he said. "It should be done. There is a responsibility that lies squarely on the shoulders of the Council of Bishops in Canada."

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett also said a papal apology is needed to "unlock the healing" in indigenous communities.

"They want to hear the Pope apologize," she said, urging Catholics across Canada to "ask their church to do better."

A few hours after Miller's comments, Vancouver Archbishop J Michael Miller offered an apology on social media.

"In light of the heartbreaking disclosure of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, I am writing to express my deep apology and profound condolences to the families and communities that have been devastated by this horrific news," he said in a statement.

"If words of apology for such unspeakable deeds are to bring life and healing, they must be accompanied by tangible actions that foster the full disclosure of the truth," he said, pledging to make church records about the schools available.

"The church was unquestionably wrong in implementing a government colonialist policy which resulted in devastation for children, families and communities," he said.

'Labour camps'

The Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, where the unmarked graves were discovered last week using ground-penetrating radar, was operated by the Catholic church on behalf of Ottawa from 1890 to 1969.

Some 150,000 Indian, Inuit and Metis youngsters in total were forcibly enrolled in these schools, where students were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who stripped them of their culture and language.

Today those experiences are blamed for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in indigenous communities.

Miller recalled an anecdote shared by an indigenous faith keeper about one such school where students -- who were often malnourished -- were "punished" for eating apples from its orchard or eggs that were destined for market.

"These were labour camps," he said. "So calling (them) a school is probably a euphemism."

A delegation of indigenous leaders had in 2009 met privately with Pope Benedict who "expressed his sorrow" over the school harms to indigenous peoples.

Although the statement of regret was welcomed by the group as "significant," they said it fell short of an official apology.

The truth and reconciliation commission later noted that it was "disappointing to survivors and others that the Pope (had) not yet made a clear and emphatic public apology in Canada for the abuses."

Pope Francis's subsequent refusal in 2018 -- after Canada's parliament passed a motion again asking the pontiff to apologize -- drew a polite rebuke from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying he was "disappointed" with the church's decision.

Canada's Indigenous services minister said Wednesday it is "shameful" that the Pope has never formally apologized for abuses at the country's Catholic-run indigenous residential schools, which he termed "labour camps.

Canada's Indigenous services minister said Wednesday it is "shameful" that the Pope has never formally apologized for abuses at the country's Catholic-run indigenous residential schools, which he termed "labour camps." Marc Miller's comments followed the recent discovery of unmarked graves of 215 children in Kamloops at one of 139 boarding schools set up a century ago to forcibly assimilate Canada's indigenous peoples. Also read | Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered "I do, I do," the minister told a news conference when asked if he supports growing indigenous calls for a papal apology that dates back to a 2015 truth and reconciliation commission report, and before. "I think it is shameful that they haven't done it, that it hasn't been done to date," he said. "It should be done. There is a responsibility that lies squarely on the shoulders of the Council of Bishops in Canada." Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett also said a papal apology is needed to "unlock the healing" in indigenous communities. "They want to hear the Pope apologize," she said, urging Catholics across Canada to "ask their church to do better." A few hours after Miller's comments, Vancouver Archbishop J Michael Miller offered an apology on social media. "In light of the heartbreaking disclosure of the remains of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, I am writing to express my deep apology and profound condolences to the families and communities that have been devastated by this horrific news," he said in a statement. "If words of apology for such unspeakable deeds are to bring life and healing, they must be accompanied by tangible actions that foster the full disclosure of the truth," he said, pledging to make church records about the schools available. "The church was unquestionably wrong in implementing a government colonialist policy which resulted in devastation for children, families and communities," he said. 'Labour camps' The Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, where the unmarked graves were discovered last week using ground-penetrating radar, was operated by the Catholic church on behalf of Ottawa from 1890 to 1969. Some 150,000 Indian, Inuit and Metis youngsters in total were forcibly enrolled in these schools, where students were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who stripped them of their culture and language. Today those experiences are blamed for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in indigenous communities. Miller recalled an anecdote shared by an indigenous faith keeper about one such school where students -- who were often malnourished -- were "punished" for eating apples from its orchard or eggs that were destined for market. "These were labour camps," he said. "So calling (them) a school is probably a euphemism." A delegation of indigenous leaders had in 2009 met privately with Pope Benedict who "expressed his sorrow" over the school harms to indigenous peoples. Although the statement of regret was welcomed by the group as "significant," they said it fell short of an official apology. The truth and reconciliation commission later noted that it was "disappointing to survivors and others that the Pope (had) not yet made a clear and emphatic public apology in Canada for the abuses." Pope Francis's subsequent refusal in 2018 -- after Canada's parliament passed a motion again asking the pontiff to apologize -- drew a polite rebuke from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying he was "disappointed" with the church's decision.

Lack of papal apology in indigenous school abuse 'shameful': Canada minister

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the remains of 215 children, including some as young as three found in a mass grave on the grounds of a former residential school, was not an isolated incident.

The prime minister's comments were made on Monday as Indigenous leaders called for an inquiry into every former residential school site across the nation.

"As a dad, I can't imagine what it would feel like to have my kids taken away from me," Trudeau told a news conference. "And as prime minister, I am appalled by the shameful policy that stole indigenous children from their communities." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remains-of-215-children-of-kamloops-indian-residential-school-discovered-387995">Also read: Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered</a> 
 
"Think of their communities that never saw them again. Think of their hopes, their dreams, their potential, of all they would have accomplished, all they would have become," he said. "All of that was taken away."

He said excavating school burial sites across Canada, as many have urged, "is an important part of discovering the truth."

"Canada will be there to support indigenous communities as we discover the extent of this trauma and trying to give opportunities for families and communities to heal." 
 
Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/horrific-chapter-in-canadian-history-388467/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Thousands of indigenous children were taken from their parents and placed in residential schools across Canada for almost a century in an attempt to integrate them. 
 
There were over 130 residential schools that were operating across Canada.

These schools, many of which were managed by religious organisations, were open until 1996 and were riddled with abuse.&nbsp;

On May 27, in a media release, Chief Rosanne Casimir calls the discovery an “unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School,” which was the largest school in the country’s Indian Affairs residential school system.

According to the Canadian Press, some of the children were as young as three. The school was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system.

“Given the size of the school, with up to 500 students registered and attending at any one time, we understand that this confirmed loss affects First Nations communities across British Columbia and beyond,” the statement read.

Tk’emlups’ Heritage Park is closed to the public and no one will be permitted on-site for the duration of the work.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the remains of 215 children, including some as young as three found in a mass grave on the grounds of a former residential school, was not an isolated incident.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the remains of 215 children, including some as young as three found in a mass grave on the grounds of a former residential school, was not an isolated incident. The prime minister's comments were made on Monday as Indigenous leaders called for an inquiry into every former residential school site across the nation. "As a dad, I can't imagine what it would feel like to have my kids taken away from me," Trudeau told a news conference. "And as prime minister, I am appalled by the shameful policy that stole indigenous children from their communities." Also read: Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered "Think of their communities that never saw them again. Think of their hopes, their dreams, their potential, of all they would have accomplished, all they would have become," he said. "All of that was taken away." He said excavating school burial sites across Canada, as many have urged, "is an important part of discovering the truth." "Canada will be there to support indigenous communities as we discover the extent of this trauma and trying to give opportunities for families and communities to heal." Watch: Thousands of indigenous children were taken from their parents and placed in residential schools across Canada for almost a century in an attempt to integrate them. There were over 130 residential schools that were operating across Canada. These schools, many of which were managed by religious organisations, were open until 1996 and were riddled with abuse. On May 27, in a media release, Chief Rosanne Casimir calls the discovery an “unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School,” which was the largest school in the country’s Indian Affairs residential school system. According to the Canadian Press, some of the children were as young as three. The school was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system. “Given the size of the school, with up to 500 students registered and attending at any one time, we understand that this confirmed loss affects First Nations communities across British Columbia and beyond,” the statement read. Tk’emlups’ Heritage Park is closed to the public and no one will be permitted on-site for the duration of the work. (With inputs from agencies)

Mass grave containing 215 kids ‘not an isolated issue’; Justin Trudeau vows 'concrete action'

The initial investigations from a survey of the field area at the former Kamloops Indian Residential school have revealed the remnants of 215 children buried at the site.

The remains were confirmed with the help of a ground-penetrating radar specialist.

In a media release, Chief Rosanne Casimir calls the discovery an “unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School,” which was the largest school in the country’s Indian Affairs residential school system.

According to the Canadian Press, some of the children were as young as three. The school was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system.

“Given the size of the school, with up to 500 students registered and attending at any one time, we understand that this confirmed loss affects First Nations communities across British Columbia and beyond,” the statement read.

Tk’emlups’ Heritage Park is closed to the public and no one will be permitted on-site for the duration of the work.

(With inputs from agencies)

The initial investigations from a survey of the field area at the former Kamloops Indian Residential school have revealed the remnants of 215 children buried at the site.

The initial investigations from a survey of the field area at the former Kamloops Indian Residential school have revealed the remnants of 215 children buried at the site. The remains were confirmed with the help of a ground-penetrating radar specialist. In a media release, Chief Rosanne Casimir calls the discovery an “unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School,” which was the largest school in the country’s Indian Affairs residential school system. According to the Canadian Press, some of the children were as young as three. The school was once the largest in Canada’s residential school system. “Given the size of the school, with up to 500 students registered and attending at any one time, we understand that this confirmed loss affects First Nations communities across British Columbia and beyond,” the statement read. Tk’emlups’ Heritage Park is closed to the public and no one will be permitted on-site for the duration of the work. (With inputs from agencies)

Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered