Over the weekend, Canadians received the harrowing news that the remains of 215 children – some as young as three years old – were found on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia.

This news is a reminder to us of the long-lasting effects that the residential school system continues to have on the indigenous community. Kensington is flying the flag at half-mast in memory of those children.

Sadly, we know that 215 is just a fraction of the number of children who died in Canada’s residential school system, which stripped young First Nations, Inuit and Métis children of their culture, language and heritage.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of National Indigenous Heritage Month in Canada. It’s a time for us to learn about and honour the significant heritage, diversity, and culture of Indigenous communities across the provinces. Kensington Health stands on traditional sacred land of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat people.

Now more than ever, I invite you to attend an upcoming educational webinar on the importance of land acknowledgements and resources about Indigenous communities and their significant history through the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.

Pride also begins tomorrow, and we acknowledge that this weekend’s news is particularly challenging for people who are two-spirit. We will raise the Pride flag on June 7 after this week of mourning.