Indigenous centres step up support in wake of discovery of children’s remains – CBC

Coverage, memorials triggering trauma, especially among residential school survivors

As coverage of the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in B.C. continues, Indigenous agencies in Ottawa are supporting people here who are grappling with the trauma.

“Lots of heavy hearts, lots of prayers and ceremony and smudging to keep the individual grounded,” said Mary Daoust, executive director of Minwaashin Lodge. “Many people are actually in the moment walking this journey with those little 215 spirits that have just been freed.”

• Survivors, families remember lives lost as children’s remains found in Kamloops
• Days after children’s remains reported, Trudeau says more help coming for residential school survivors

Minwaashin Lodge, located in Ottawa’s Overbrook neighbourhood, has long offered counselling and a crisis line for women, children and families who are survivors of domestic violence. Many are also living with the impact of Canada’s residential school system.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/indigenous-centres-support-kamloops-trauma-1.6048996