Students at Ursuline College have created a public memorial, to honour the 215 victims of the Kamloops Residential School, and the many, many others across the country.  The memorial was organized by Kidwin Zhingwaak, the school’s Indigenous Student Leadership group.  Kidwin Zhingwaak is Ojibwe for ‘Voice of the Pines’. 

The memorial included 215 orange flags and red and orange ribbons that were tied to the fence that faces Grand Avenue.  They also displayed messages, such as ‘Every Child Matters’ and ‘No More Silence’.

“This memorial was an idea that came from the students,” says Jeff Phaneuf, one of the staff leaders for Kidwin Zhingwaak.  “They wanted to make a statement that helps raise awareness about the horrors of residential schools and honours those who didn’t return home, as well as those who survived and who live with the trauma.”  

Members of the public are invited to take part in the memorial by adding their own red or orange ties or pieces of fabric onto the fence. 

“We’re hoping the fence will eventually become completely covered in orange and red,” says Mr. Phaneuf.