It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the recent and horrific news of 751 unmarked gravesites, of mostly children, found at the former Marieval Indian Residential School on the lands of the Cowessess First Nation at a time when so many First Nations communities are already experiencing unimaginable grief and loss. The LGMA acknowledges that the immense pain and compounded grief experienced by the Cowessess First Nation and Indigenous communities around the country and we acknowledge that this news is incredibly triggering.

We encourage local governments to honour the incomprehensible pain and grief Indigenous communities are experiencing by considering the ways in which they can support Indigenous peoples and First Nations governments. We encourage non-Indigenous leaders to read and reflect on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s “Canada’s Residential Schools: Missing Children and Unmarked Burials” Report; from this important report, we recognize that the immense grief felt by Indigenous peoples represents only a fraction of this horrific reality. We remain committed to assisting local governments to implement the Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report of 2015.

We share the following resources knowing that Indigenous peoples impacted by this news may need support and we encourage local governments to share the following information:

• The Indian and Residential Schools Survivors and Family Crisis and Support line: https://www.irsss.ca/ or 1 (800) 721-0066 or 1 (866) 925-4419
• KUU-US Crisis Line for First Nations, by First Nations offered by FNHA 1-800-588-8717; Adult/Elder line: 250-723-4050; Child/Youth line: 250-723-2040;
• Aboriginal Wellness Program 604-675-2551 or 1-866-884-0888
• Canadian Mental Health Association - British Columbia Division 1-800-555-8222