Defence Team Champion for Indigenous Peoples response to Marieval Indian Residential School Discovery

June 28, 2021 - Defence Stories

This statement deals with topics that may cause trauma invoked by memories of past abuse or intergenerational trauma. We recognize some people may not want to read further to minimize the risk of being triggered.

I am saddened and disturbed that the bodies of more than 700 Indigenous people have been discovered on the site of the Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.

This latest discovery comes just one month after 215 bodies were found on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School and follows multiple others over the past month.

As the Defence Team Champion for Indigenous Peoples, I wish to again extend my deepest sympathies to our Indigenous Defence Team Colleagues past and present, and their loved ones, in the face of these revelations. I know I can count on you to support each another and I encourage you to share your feelings. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help from a health care professional should you need further support.

As I write this, the full human cost of the Indian Residential School system is not known. I am saddened by the knowledge that there will be more such discoveries to come. There are no words to adequately express our collective grief as this tragedy continues to unfold. Together, we will mourn each new discovery, and resolve to do what we can to create a better country for all.

Major-General Michel-Henri St-Louis

Acting Commander Canadian Army
Defence Team Champion for Indigenous Peoples