The organizers of Campbell River’s Walk Away from Racism want to make this year’s event the biggest ever.
The Immigrant Welcome Centre and the City of Campbell River invite your organization to demonstrate your support of our First Nations community and others directly impacted by racism by attending the 19th annual Walk Away from Racism on Saturday, March 21 at the Campbell River Community Centre. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the ceremony and walk begin at 11 a.m.
This spring heralds a significant moment in history for area First Nations and the larger community. St. Michael’s Indian Residential School in Alert Bay, being torn down in stages, is slated for demolition by the end of March. Established in 1929, St. Michael’s housed up to 200 students at a time. By the time the school closed in 1975, thousands of aboriginal children had been forcibly removed from First Nations families and bands across the North Coast and sent to the school. Separated from parents for years at a time, children were forbidden to speak their language, with many suffering physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Many boys and girls never returned home, or sustained lasting emotional scars that often became a legacy inherited by children and grandchildren.
On Feb. 18 2015, hundreds of St. Michael’s survivors, their relatives and other supporters gathered in Alert Bay for a powerful healing ceremony prior to the school’s demolition. The ceremony allowed for grief, healing and the opportunity for reconciliation.
This year, the Walk Away from Racism will recognize the symbolism inherent in the destruction of St. Michael’s. Destroying the building is a strong denouncement of past injustice but it’s also the ideal juncture in time for the community of Campbell River to walk in solidarity with First Nations, to support reconciliation and take steps to establishing a positive, more inclusive future together.
The Walk Away from Racism is intended to prove that this community stands together against racism by raising awareness through a ceremony, keynote speakers and a walk in solidarity.
To show your support, organizers are encouraging staff at community businesses and organizations to rally together and attend wearing staff colours and name tags and to challenge other organizations to do the same.
