Speaker of the Senate
Speaker’s Statement – Cowessess First Nation
Honourable senators, last week, the Cowessess First Nation announced that 751 unmarked graves had been discovered on their land, many believed to be children who attended the former Marieval Residential School in Saskatchewan.
Coming on the heels of the earlier discovery in Kamloops, this horrific discovery reinforces the deeply disturbing legacy of Canada’s residential school system, and further underscores the importance of reconciliation with our Indigenous peoples.
On behalf of all senators, I again express our shock, and our hopes and prayers for the memory of the children, and for peace for their families and all those who have had their lives tragically affected by residential schools.
I now invite all honourable senators to rise for a minute of silence in their memory.
(Honourable senators then stood in silent tribute.)