Declaration of solidarity by the Congrégation de Notre-Dame with the First Nations people

The Congrégation de Notre-Dame offers its deepest sympathies to the families and communities whose children died and were buried in indignity, without the knowledge of their family members, at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.

We want to acknowledge the devastating consequences of colonialism on the Indigenous peoples of Canada. We deplore the participation of the Church in the colonial movement. We are also aware that these past situations continue to have destructive effects on individuals, families, communities and on all First Nations people in Canada, seriously undermining justice and social peace in our country.

We also wish to express our sympathy to those whose traumas have been reawakened by this discovery. We keep them in our prayers.

In our community and with the people around us, we are working to raise awareness about the painful consequences of this colonial past. We are committed to responding to the calls for action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and of other committees addressing these issues, with a willingness to do our part on this long and important journey towards healing that we must collectively undertake.

Ercilia Janeth Ferrera Erazo, CND

Responsible for Social Justice