The Vancouver Canucks will honour the 215 children whose bodies were found at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., the team announced on Monday.
"Tonight, and going forward, Rogers Arena will be lit up orange to honour the 215 children found in Kamloops, as well as every other child who was forced to attend residential schools, and their families," the team said in a
" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">statement. "We acknowledge the genocide of the Indigenous community and as Canadians must do more toward real truth and reconciliation."
https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/1399460699806474240
The NHLPA also released a statement honouring the children, the families and Indigenous peoples of Canada "who continue to live with the trauma and long-term effects from the residential school system."
The Montreal Canadiens also offered their condolences and stated "it's important for the hockey community to understand and recognize the trauma and history of Indigenous people."
On Sunday, the Toronto Raptors announced that the flags at the OVO Athletic Centre will be lowered for 215 hours in the memory of the 215 children.
MLSE also announced that the flags will be lowered at Scotiabank Arena "as we grieve in solidarity with the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation, all Residential School survivors and Indigenous communities across Canada."
Teachers and students across B.C. wore orange as a symbol of reconciliation following the discovery of the 215 children – some as young as three years old – at the school. Vigils have been held in their honour as well.
