08/17/2026
A few weeks ago I took my 3 month old son to visit the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Here is what I told him as I held him and we walked along one side of the building…
“This is an important place, and that is why we are here. What I happened here should have never happened, and it’s important that you know about it so you can help to make sure it never happens again.
There were Indigenous children here who were taken away from their families and forced to live here. They were not allowed to be who they are- they couldn’t speak their language, practice their culture or be proud of their identity. The people here did horrible, violent and cruel things to them. And some of them didn’t get to leave and return to their families.
They didn’t deserve this. Their mommies and daddies loved them dearly, like we love you. They should have been home with their families. This happened to our ancestors. To your ancestors and we carry pieces of this within us.
They were beautiful, vibrant, funny and valued ancestors. Their culture, community and families were their strength. It is yours as well.
We need to visit places this like this to show our respect. To honour these ancestors to show that their legacy is not forgotten. Because this place and these souls- they were a catalyst for change… for movement and action forward.
And it is our role now to continue the work on… for change, for joy, for life that feels free again- mino-pimatisiwin (living the good life). My hope is that I can teach you ways to do this as much as I know you will teach me, little one.”