Childrens' shoes appear in North following discovery of remains at former B.C. residential school

WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.

The North is reacting to the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

The bodies were found during a search of the grounds of the old school, the Tk'emlps te Secwpemc First Nation announced Thursday. A statement from the First Nation said that the missing children, some as young as three years old, were undocumented deaths.

In a statement issued Sunday, Nunavut Premier Joe Savikataaq said the discovery was devastating and left all Indigenous people in the country heartbroken and grieving.

"This isn't simply a dark chapter in Canadian history, it continues to be a very painful reality for all First Nations, Inuit and Metis," he wrote. "In order to move forward, all Canadians must face these horrors, learn the truth, demand justice and work toward meaningful reconciliation on our terms."

Savikataaq said the Government of Nunavut would lower all its flags to half-mast for nine days the equivalent of an hour for each of the 215 children found.

The Canadian flag at the Peace Tower in Ottawa was lowered to half-mast on Sunday, and the Department of Canadian Heritage said flags at all federal buildings and establishments across Canada would also be lowered until further notice "in memory of the thousands of children who were sent to residential schools."

Children's shoes

Childrens' shoes have also started appearing at at least two locations in Yellowknife over the weekend.

A Facebook event named Kamloops Residential School Vigil - Yellowknife, NT is calling on people to bring donations of childrens' shoes to the site of the old Akaitcho Hall residential school and to place them under the tree nearby.

The organizer of the display, Angela Canning, told CBC News she was completely heartbroken when she learned about the remains found in B.C.

"I couldn't stop crying or thinking about it," she said through tears. "Can you imagine your children being taken away from you and not ever getting them back, or an explanation of what happened to them?"

Canning said she no longer wants to be part of the Catholic Church, because it hasn't apologized for its involvement in residential schools.

The intent of the Facebook event was to have people leave shoes at the former residential school site, said Canning, and she isn't planning a physical gathering or speakers.

Childrens' shoes have also appeared outside St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Yellowknife.

Support is available for anyone affected by the effects of residential schools, and those who are triggered by the latest reports.

TheIndian Residential School Survivors Society(IRSSS)can be contacted toll-free at1-800-721-0066.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

TheNWT Help Lineoffers free support to residents of the Northwest Territories, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is 100% free and confidential. The NWT Help Line also has an option for follow-up calls. Residents can call the help line at1-800-661-0844.

In Nunavut, theKamatsiaqtut Help Lineis open 24 hours a day at1-800-265-3333. People are invited to call for any reason.

In Yukon, mental health services are available to those in bothWhitehorse and in rural Yukon communities through Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services. Yukoners can schedule Rapid Access Counselling supports in Whitehorse and all MWSU community hubs by calling 1-867-456-3838.