Chilliwack City Council expresses sorrow in the wake of the identification of 158 children who died at area residential schools and hospital

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove and members of City Council have released a statement following Thursday’s announcement by the Stó:lō Nation that it had identified 158 children who died at or because of their attendance at residential schools in Chilliwack, Mission and Yale along with a former hospital on Stó:lō territory.

In a social media post, the statement from mayor and council reads, “We were deeply saddened to hear confirmation of the deaths of 158 Indigenous children at the former residential schools of St. Mary’s, All Hallows, and Coqualeetza, as well as the Coqualeetza Indian Hospital. The initial findings of the Xyólhmet ye Syéwiqwélh (Taking Care of Our Children) project are a painful reminder of the horrors of residential schools, and the devastating and ongoing impact on Indigenous communities.”

The statement continues, “Indigenous children and their families faced countless injustices through Canada’s residential school system, and those traumas live on today through survivors, families, and friends. We know that these findings are only the beginning of this important work, and our thoughts are with all the families and communities that are impacted by this confirmation of loss. The City of Chilliwack remains committed to truth, reconciliation, and finding new ways forward.”

In honour of the children, the City has lowered flags at City Hall to half-mast.