Indigenous cross-country motorcycle journey brings attention to Indian day schools
WINNIPEG — Four motorcycles roared out of Winnipeg on Friday at the start of a journey across the West to draw attention to the plight of former Indian day school students.
Indigenous lawyer and activist Joan Jack led three other motorcycles onto the Trans-Canada Highway on Day 1 of the 2,300-kilometre trek.
“I would say that 95 per cent of Canadians have no idea there were Indian day schools all throughout Canada, and that the purpose of them was the same as the residential schools, which was to kill the Indian in the child,” Jack said.
“Canadians that I have spoken with are shocked and disgusted that people have not been compensated.”