The graves were found under the guidance and direction of survivors, including shíshálh Nation Chief, Lenora Joe, who shared that while the community is deeply saddened, “these numbers are not a surprise to us. We have always believed our Elders… we have always had enough proof to know.”

Chief Joe also delivered a message of strength, when she offered, “As we share this information, we want to protect our people and our community, and the other Nations whose children are directly connected to this. We are not taking ownership of the trauma because that was done to us, but we are taking ownership of our healing, our message and our future.”

It is in that look to the future, where I see a critical role for the people of PHSA. It begins with seeing and accepting thee eat, the truth of Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination, and then taking meaningful action – specific to our own roles, at every level of the organization – that contributes to creating culturally safe health care experiences and outcomes that are free of racism, in every interaction, in every facility, in every community where we serve.

This is work we must prioritize and continue to hold up while we also navigating significant change across PHSA and the larger health care system. It calls upon us to be both focused and compassionate, mindful of both the future and the present.

With this in mind, I ask that today and over the weeks ahead, we are mindful that the findings of the shíshálh Nation impact Indigenous and First Nations colleagues all across PHSA. The shíshálh Nation confirmed that the children of 53 other Nations were known to have attended St. Augustine’s, meaning we have many survivors, extended family and community members in our midst who are hurting. 

I invite you to turn to the Coast Salish teachings gifted to PHSA by Siem Te’ta-in (formerly known to us as Sulksun) as a source of strength and guidance for how we can show up for one another in times of need. Additionally, the shíshálh Nation is requesting that members of the public who wish to support the community consider the following actions: Wear an orange shirt, fly flags at half-mast, cherish your children and families, and/or send an email to GPRpublic@shishalh.com.

On behalf of the PHSA executive leadership team, I wish all Indigenous colleagues, patients and families the support they need to bear the burden of children lost and families broken due to residential schools like St. Augustine. Collectively, we are committed to tee ma thit, to doing our best so harms of the past are not repeated. 

Indigenous-specific supports and services available: