March for the Children with Penelakut Tribe Members

(adapted from a CTV news report)

On Monday, August 2, 2021, about 3,000 residential school survivors, First Nations community members, and supporters, marched in Chemainus, in solidarity with the Penelakut tribe .

“Our elders felt it was time....to speak for the ones that can’t speak...said Mike Charlie, chair of the Penelakut Elders Treaty Committee. 

The Committee recently revealed that 160 unmarked graves were discovered at the former Kuper Island Industrial School site on Penelakut Island.  The Committee expects to unearth the remains of many more.

“Today is about bringing their spirit back to the lands where they came from,” said Eddy Charlie, a Kuper Island residential school survivor. 

“The truth of residential schools is now starting to make people listen.” 

Rev. Brian reflects:                  

On August 2nd, I had the privilege of attending the Memorial Walk in Chemainus, courtesy of Spune’luxutth’ Sulxwe’en Nation from Penelakut First Nation.

On my way down to the March, I was introduced to a singer-songwriter Tori Amos in interview with Tom Power of CBC radio.  The Tori Amos story filled me with curiosity, as it adjured my need for attention to social justice.

Ms. Amos was the first artist to appear on radio immediately after 9-11.   She believes that music will lead us out of the present pandemic.  That interview also brought to my mind John Lennon's song, "Imagine":  very much a song about examining our social conscience.             

Of Tori Amos’ hit song, "Silent All These Years,"  Wikipedia cites, “Thematically, the song is about not feeling understood by the people around her at various stages in her life, and, at the time, not knowing how to express what was bubbling beneath the surface.”               

As I walked in the company of “all our relations” in Chemainus, I reflected on the words:  “At the time, not knowing how to express what was bubbling beneath the surface.”               

I am so thankful, as a country, that we are gradually affirming opportunities for each other to express what is bubbling beneath the surface--what has been bubbling beneath the surface within our First Nations communities.

I continue to be awakened by the Holy Spirit when I take time to listen.   As we walked slowly, and with purpose, through the streets of Chemainus, I was conscious of a silence which was allowing the Holy Spirit to speak loudly.   

For me, the walk was not about words.  It was about listening to "God among us".

In gratitude to the Penelakut Nation.

Rev. Brian+