A Canadian Indigenous tribe has discovered what are believed to be the remains of more than 160 Indigenous children, adding to similar grim finds in recent weeks.
The Penelakut Tribe says they found the remains on Penelakut Island, formerly known as Kuper Island, in British Columbia, at the site of a former Indigenous boarding school.
It brings the total of such recent findings to over 1000, as the nation reckons with its past of forced assimilation of Indigenous Canadian children and systematic erasure of their culture.
Indigenous children were forbidden from using their languages or practicing their culture at the boarding schools, which were rife with sexual, emotional and physical abuse.
"We are at another point in time where we must face the trauma because of these acts of genocide," said Penelakut Tribe Chief Joan Brown in a July 8 statement confirming the latest discovery.
Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau said the discovery should lead to truth-telling in the country.
"My heart breaks for the Penelakut Tribe and for all the Indigenous communities across the country," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Tuesday.
"We cannot bring back those who were lost, but we can and we will continue to tell the truth, just like we will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous peoples to fight discrimination and systemic racism with real, concrete actions," he added.
