From: Indigenous Services Canada
The Government of Canada provided an update on COVID-19 and Indigenous communities. 687 First Nations, Inuit and territorial communities are rolling out vaccines, and more than 508,800 doses have been administered.
The news of the remains of 215 children found in the area around the former Kamloops Indian Residential School is a painful reminder of the harms families and Survivors have suffered and continue to suffer. We are profoundly saddened by this discovery and our thoughts are with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, as well as with all other affected First Nations in British Columbia and with Indigenous Peoples across Canada. We are working with the community and partners, such as the BC First Nations Health Authority, to provide the resources and support needed, as determined by the community. Flags on the Peace Tower in Ottawa and on all Government of Canada buildings and establishments across the country are being flown at half-mast until further notice. The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide emotional and crisis referral services to former residential school students. It is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419. All Indigenous Peoples can access the Hope for Wellness Help Line at www.hopeforwellness.ca or by phoning 1-855-242-3310.