Indigenous Services Minister Miller reflects on meeting with Mohawks

When the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C., it set in motion a wave of epic proportion for both Indigenous peoples and non-natives. Memorials were created across Canada and the United States.

At the request of Bear Clan Mother Wakerakats:te, Indigenous Services Marc Miller agreed to meet with the informal Mohawk delegation on Parliament Hill among memorials for the 215 Kamloops children. Underlying this meeting was the thought – more remains are bound to be found of residential school children who died there and at other residential schools.

Miller said, “The discovery of Kamloops rocked Canada and brought to light the real story of stolen Indigenous children. It was a very somber experience to meet with Mohawk leadership on June 16th. It is a real privilege to learn from them. The discovery has set off a wave of mourning and pledges from government to do better at the work of reconciliation.”

He added, “I was given two replicas of the Six Nations and Five Nations wampum belts. It was a meeting based on honesty, respects and reflection”.

Miller and Mohawk leadership plan to meet again in September.