In their silence; they woke the world

The Indigenous people who have suffered the tragedies of the residential schools are who should their stories.

“In their silence, they woke the world” – these powerful seven words are spoken at the end of a short video released by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) this week to remember the many lives lost and impacted by residential schools. 

The moving video comes after Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation Chief Rosanne Casimir shared the heartbreaking news on May 28 that the remains of 215 Indigenous children were found in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School site.

“To support our people in their grief and promote healing in light of the recent discoveries at former residential schools, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) filmed a video response,” Kelley McReynolds, director of Ayás Mén̓men Child and Family Services, the team that produced the video, explained.

“For far too long, these schools taught our children to be ashamed of their culture and language. This video celebrates that we are still here and encourages our people to take comfort and pride in their culture during this difficult time.”

‘In their silence, they woke the world’: Squamish Nation releases powerful video by Elisia Seeber, Pique Newsmagazine, June 21, 2021. Take a moment to watch this short video by Squamish Nation to honour and remember the many Indigenous lives lost and impacted by Residential Schools.

See video here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=314927366891267