The Chief of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc says they’re still looking for answers as they commemorate the one-year anniversary of the discovery of 215 suspected unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says ground penetrating radar work confirmed what survivors of residential schools had always known – that too many children did not make it home.

“So as we commemorate today, we also want to acknowledge the other communities that have had similar findings,” she said.

“Our hearts are with you, and all the communities that have been affected, as well as the public who too have been traumatized and learning of the true impacts of the residential school, and what it has had on our people.”

Casimir made those comments during a day-long memorial ceremony at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc powwow ground to mark the anniversary. It will include cultural performances, dances, prayers, and drumming.

215 memorial opening ceremonies @Tkemlups: Secwépemc Welcome Song.#Kamloops #BC pic.twitter.com/u59WgHl4fd

— Abby Zieverink (@ZieverinkAbby) May 23, 2022

She said the discovery last May was the start of a reckoning not just in Canada but around the world.

Some survivors of the Kamloops school say the past year was an emotional journey that included reawakened trauma, catharsis, and for some others closure.

“People have an awareness of the atrocities of the residential school and the impacts,” Casimir said.

“There is no roadmap, so at TteS, we have been taking the time that is needed to continue to nurture the unmarked graves, while we continue to utilize science to support these next steps.”

Those next steps include the next round of ground penetrating radar work near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc says will be focused on the Chief Louis Centre.

That work will take about a month to complete.

“There are [also] many next steps that need to occur with the church,” Casimir added.

“That’s mandates from the highest level. That’s from the Pope to mandate through the Catholic Bishops of Canada right down to the local diocese and working with first nations as we seek truth, as we move forward, as we seek fundraising, as we seek all those steps that are listed on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.”

“Unimaginable that a place of learning was so cruel” – Governor General takes in memorial ceremony

Speaking during the ceremony on Monday, Governor General Mary Simon said she hoped the memorial will “bring healing to the people who have been impacted by the legacy of residential schools in Canada.”

“It’s unimaginable that a place of learning was so cruel. It’s inexcusable that people could commit these atrocities or that people could stand silent as they were committed,” Simon, Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General, said.

“We’re telling Canadians and the world about our wounds and pain, our anguish and outrage, and I know that so many have now heard us.”

“From every corner of the country, we are united in the horror and sadness we feel. And now, we must find the way forward together, and to be united in saying, ‘never again will we stay silent.'”

Simon also noted she will do her part as Governor General to share the stories of Indigenous people in Canada and around the world, so that they are never ever forgotten, calling it her “sacred responsibility.”

“No child deserves to be treated or disrespected; to be dismissed, abused, made to feel less than human. And no child deserves to have their friends disappear, never to be seen again, always wondering am I next?” Simon added, noting residential schools have left a long legacy of guilt, shame, fear and fury for Indigenous people.

“So many unmarked graves. So many children who suffered and died because society thought they knew what was best, because people turned a blind eye.”

“We mourn with you. We stand with you. We believe you,” she added.

PM Trudeau makes brief statement at Monday memorial

In a brief statement Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the memorial was about remembering the people who were lost at residential schools.

“This is about remembering those we lost. This is about gathering and reflecting on where we are and mostly where we need to go altogether,” he said, during what was his second trip to Tkemlups in seven months.

“As I do every day, I will pledge to continue being the very best partner I can possibly be on the journey that you are on, one the journey that you are bringing Canada on.”

While there was much fanfare surrounding the Prime Minister’s visit, not everyone was happy to see him at the Tk’emlúps Powwow Arbour Ground.

“To those who are still filled with hurt and anger, I hear that as well. I know that is real, and I know we have a lot of work together to do as a country, as individuals, and as communities,” Trudeau said.

You can watch the Memorial Ceremony live here.

– With files from The Canadian Press and Abby Zieverink

Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau visits @Tkemlups for the memorial of the 215 unmarked graves found last year #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/R8ZYr1ekMe

— Abby Zieverink (@ZieverinkAbby) May 23, 2022

Le Estcwicwe̓y̓ memorial @Tkemlups #Kamloops #BC pic.twitter.com/x5zRS9oAO0

— Abby Zieverink (@ZieverinkAbby) May 23, 2022

.@Tkemlups Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir focuses on healing and reconciliation at opening ceremonies for Le Estcwicwe̓y̓ memorial.#Kamloops pic.twitter.com/1WE6fQtzcA

— Abby Zieverink (@ZieverinkAbby) May 23, 2022

“Pain and sorrow,” @GGCanada Mary Simon describes her feelings after walking through the gravesites where the remains of 215 children were found last year at the former #Kamloops Indian Residential School. pic.twitter.com/dWzwMOevEb

— Abby Zieverink (@ZieverinkAbby) May 23, 2022