Transport Canada says the area above the former Kamloops residential school is now a no-fly zone.
The federal government department has issued a NOTAM, or Notice to Airmen, that restricts all air traffic – including drones – 500-feet above the site of the school.
“Out of respect for the privacy of the survivors and their families, we have issued a NOTAM over the former Kamloops residential school,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra tweeted.
“We will continue to work closely with the indigenous communities and continue to grieve with them.”
The agency says this new directive was developed in collaboration with the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. It comes after Tk’emlups announced the discovery of the unmarked graves of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
“The news from last week was devastating and we stand ready to support the community and all Indigenous communities as they grieve,” Transport Canada said, in a statement.
In collaboration with the TK’EMLUPS TE SECWEPEMC First Nation, we have issued a #NOTAM restricting all air traffic up to 500 ft above ground, including drones, in the Kamloops Indian Residential School area. For more info : https://t.co/d3vQfNUSJV 2/2 pic.twitter.com/c7ufaYJG6n
— Transport Canada (@Transport_gc) June 4, 2021
