By Dave Branco and Greg Fry

Hundreds gather on grounds of former residential school to mourn the loss of 215 children in Kamloops

May 30, 2021 | 3:56 PM

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Fraser Lake – Hundreds of people gathered on the grounds of a former residential school near Fraser Lake today to remember the lives of the 215 children who never made it home to their families in Kamloops.

Close to 300 people gathered to remember the 215 children whose bodies were recently discovered buried at a residential school in Kamloops.

One of those who gathered near the shores of Fraser Lake was once a student at Lejac Residential school, Ray Nooski. Now in his 70s, Nooski remembers being whipped by his teachers and “wanting to make them pay.”

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He says his bitterness led him down a dark black hole, including time spent on skid row. Now back on his feet, he says the tragedies that occurred at residential schools across the country “need to be discussed” as a form of healing.

Tannis Reynolds helped organize today’s event and says the “unthinkable” tragedy revealed in Kamloops “speaks to the stories we’ve heard.” She adds it should be used as a springboard for all former residential school students to speak about their experiences too.

There were over 100 residential schools across the country, the first one opening in the 1870s and the last one closing in 1996. And according to some who attended this event, there are still many untold stories to come to the surface.

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is 1-866 925-4419.