Monuments were erected at the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School Site south of Williams Lake and at Boitanio Park in Williams Lake May 16 and 17.
On the monuments, under an archival photograph of the former mission school, the inscription encased in a large black feather reads in part:
The words “remembering, recovering, and reconciling,” translated in First Nations languages.
“Today we dedicate ourselves to the healing journey of all of those affected by the St. Joseph’s Mission (Cariboo) Residential School that operated on this site from July 19, 1891 to June 30, 1981.”
“.. the absence of an apology has been an impediment to healing and reconciliation. Therefore on behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I stand before you… to apologize to Aboriginal peoples for Canada’s role in the Indian Residential School System.” - Prime Minister Stephen Harper, June 11, 2008.
“We deeply, and very specifically, apologize to every victim of (physical and sexual) abuse and we seek help in searching for means to bring about healing.” – Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, July 24, 1991.
