May 31, 2021

The Children’s Aid Society of the United Counties of Stormont Dundas & Glengarry have lowered our flags to half mast today to honour the lives of the 215 Indigenous children whose undocumented bodies were found buried at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Kamloops, B.C. We recognise the suffering that these children endured, as well as the ongoing pain of their families, communities, and all Indigenous Nations.

The Children’s Aid Society of the United Counties of Stormont Dundas & Glengarry is calling on Canada, the Provinces, and all Canadians to be accountable and fully implement the 94 Calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We stand with Indigenous people today and every day and we demand Justice through accountability, action and change to address the continued racism and oppression of Indigenous people in all sectors (Action #71).

The Children’s Aid Society of the United Counties of Stormont Dundas & Glengarry acknowledges child welfare’s role in Canada’s plan for the genocide and assimilation of Indigenous people. As a child welfare organization, we continue to work to redress the damage we have caused, by working differently and supporting Indigenous families from a place of respect, honour, and dignity. We recognize we must give back all that we took from Indigenous children, families, communities, and Nations.

A 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support to former students, their families and all those effected. Emotional and crisis referral services can be accessed by calling 1-866-925-4419.