The nationwide grief and anger over the discovery of 215 children’s graves at a former Kamloops, BC residential school hit home in the Quinte Region on Friday evening.
A large group gathered at Belleville’s Market Square for a socially distanced vigil to honour those lives lost and to push for more government accountability on Indigenous affairs.
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory member Brittany Brant was one of a number of speakers who shared their stories and called on the Federal Government to change the way it deals with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.
“The government and the churches. This doesn’t end with us, they have to listen and they have spent billions of dollars to fight us. Sometimes they try to throw some money at us and people think well you got a little payout here so that’s enough, but it’s not that.”
Brant says she was grateful that people showed up to listen and learn, but she was disappointed in the turnout overall.
“I’m really grateful for the ones that take the initiative to educate themselves and educate other people. People are just turning a blind eye left and right, and if it doesn’t affect them, then it doesn’t matter.”
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory member Brittany Brant shares her story during a vigil honouring residential school victims, at Bellevile’s Market Square, on June 4, 2021. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
She says moving forward, education on Indigenous issues and history, along with support of Indigenous groups and causes, can go a long way in changing people’s perspectives.
Prior to the speeches, pairs of children’s shoes were laid on the steps of the Bernice Parrott stage as a symbol and reminder of the lives lost.
Brant told the crowd that she hoped the city would allow the shoes to remain there, after a similar display at St. Michael’s Catholic Church was taken down, earlier this week.
While the vigil was larger than the allowed public gathering limit under Ontario’s COVID-19 restrictions, Belleville police weren’t present.
Other public health protocols were being followed, including social distancing, mask wearing and the disinfecting of the speakers’ microphone.
You can listen to the full vigil and see more photos below:
NOTE: This audio contains language that may be distressing to some listeners.
Pairs of children’s shoes are laid on the steps of the Bernice Parrott Stage at Belleville’s Market Square to honour the lives of 215 residential school victims in Kamploops, BC. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Wesley Wood speaks during a vigil for 215 victims of a former residential school in Kamploops, BC, at Belleville’s Market Square, on June 4, 2021. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Community members listen to speeches during a vigil for 215 victims of a former residential school in Kamploops, BC, at Belleville’s Market Square, on June 4, 2021. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Brittany Brant of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory was one of a number of speakers who shared their story, during a vigil honouring residential school victims, at Bellevile’s Market Square, on June 4, 2021. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Community members embrace, as Brittany Brant shares her story, during a vigil for 215 victims of a former residential school in Kamploops, BC, at Belleville’s Market Square, on June 4, 2021. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
