We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent news regarding the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in a mass grave at the site of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
To honour these 215 precious lives, and the lives of all other Indigenous children who did not return home from residential schools, the flags at each of our campuses are lowered to half-mast.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all Indigenous community members, both those at Sask Polytech and across Canada. We express our deepest empathy to the survivors, and to those whose lives and families were forever altered by the residential school system. As you continue to carry this heavy burden of intergenerational trauma, please know you do not stand alone.
There are many ways to show our respect and solidarity with the Indigenous community. Students are encouraged to wear orange this week and to take a moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. on June 1. Students can also update their personal Facebook profiles with an Orange Shirt Day frame. To do this search “Sask Polytech” or "Orange Shirt Day" in facebook.com/profilepicframes to update your profile photo.
Personal counselling services are available. Should you want to book an appointment with one of our counsellors, please email counselling@saskpolytech.ca. If this is a crisis or an urgent matter, please call 911 or Mobile Crisis.