A National Cancer

By: Scott Tolhurst

I don’t want to write this. I don’t know how to write this. But, I must try. The remains of 215 children have been discovered at the Kamloops Residential School upon the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation Territory. We don’t know the names of these children or their families. We don’t know if these died by disease, accident or mistreatment. This much we do know. Their death is the result of a systematic policy enacted by authorities, political and religious, over many years. We know that other graves have been found in other residential schools. This tragedy is not isolated. So, we know there is more heartache to come.

It is hard to catch up to the horror of the news. But catching up is what many are doing. The facts have been known for decades by Indigenous people. Yet, those insulated by the privilege of resource and the colour of their skin, have lived largely untouched by the personal pain and abuse of power inflicted by the residential school system upon 150,000 children over 100 years. The purpose of the residential school was to eradicate the language and culture of Indian children. They were to be civilized to European standards by removing them from their families, compelled to conform to a foreign culture. Stop and feel the pain. This has been a cancer at work in our nation, unrecognized but deadly. Perhaps recent events can act as a diagnosis that leads to action. What action?

We must hear the voices of the abused. There is no going forward until we recognize and appreciate the damage inflicted upon children and families. We need to go beyond lowered flags, symbolic memorials and sympathetic apologies. Restoration and reparations are required - speedily and fully. We must begin a new conversation. Our sins must be named. The sin of arrogance, of racist attitudes and actions, of denial and disregard, of pretending that we are excused since, “This was a failure of a different time and place.” We live in the advantage of a colonial mindset that elevated us, at the injury and subjugation of others. We can’t say we aren’t involved.

There is such a thing as generational sin. It can only be broken by confession, repentance and renewal. God sees and knows. Jesus said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” And tears fill the eyes of the Father. If you weep as well, know this. We ought to grieve. We must repent. We can be and do better. God forgive us. God help us. God comfort the abused.