Photo: Contributed

The Kamloops Indian Residential School housed hundreds of children.

Upper Nicola Indian Band members will attempt to heal wounds from one of Canada's darkest legacies.

Walking, riding and canoeing from the former Kamloops Indian Residential School to Quilchena and Spaxomin (Douglas Lake), participants in "Calling our Spirits Back" will depart today and make the journey over the weekend.

Ceremonies are being held at each community along the way, to “welcome home” the spirits of those who attended residential school. Support workers will be on hand to assist survivors physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

From 1874 to 1996, Aboriginal children across Canada were taken away from their families and communities and forced into residential schools under a government policy to assimilate Indigenous people. 

In B.C., 22 residential schools mandated by the federal government were operated by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian. Methodist, and United churches. In the 1920s, attendance at residential schools by Indian children ages seven to 15 was made mandatory by law.

Upper Nicola members who attended residential schools have heart-wrenching stories of being separated from siblings upon arrival; how male and female students were not allowed to associate with or speak to each other; and being forbidden to speak their own language.

The Kamloops Indian School was closed in 1978. It has been repurposed, and today houses the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc band office, a band-operated school, a museum/heritage park and a powwow arbour.