The truth from the findings of the burial sites of the Kamloops Residential School students shines a blinding light on our darkest reality.

The reality is racist and incomprehensible.  Our society has a sacred obligation to protect our children.  Indigenous rights only exist if there is a future generation to pass them onto.

As Indigenous advocates, we echo the voices of so many Indigenous Peoples in Canada in rejecting the characterization of this evolving tragedy as “history”.  We chose law as a profession to fulfill the honour of serving and fighting for our Peoples. This tragedy is now.  The discovery of their deaths is now. The truth is now.

For us and our clients, the hurt is overpowering.  But, we know that we must reject this racism.  We know that these crimes occurred for the sole reason that Indigenous children were considered sub-human.  We know that our children need our strength to ensure their humanity and human rights. We were made for this fight and accept it is our path.

We commit to our clients to fight alongside you.  You will not be alone in righting this wrong.  We will not let this darkness cloud the hope we all create.

In love, respect + truth,

Leah-George Wilson Tsleil-Waututh	Merle Alexander, QC Kitasoo Xai’xais	Tamara Napoleon Saulteau First Nations	Yvan Guy Larocque Métis from Sainte-Anne
Nick Smith Ermineskin Cree Nation	Charlotte Rose Nak’azdli Whut’en	Iain Thomas Snuneymuxw