LETHBRIDGE --
The discovery 215 children found buried at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. is sending shockwaves throughout the nation. In Lethbridge, community members organized a vigil and asked people to line up child-sized shoes to represent the lives lost throughout years of trauma brought on by the residential school system.
"The trauma that we face every day is insurmountable. We have no safe spaces and everyone talks about reconciliation, but an apology is nothing without acknowledgement," said Marissa Smoke.
For many, the discovery of remains in Kamloops is bringing back painful memories.
"Hearing and reading about the 215 that were just discovered opened up a lot of hurt," said residential school survivor, Sheldon Day Chief.