To each and every child who didn’t make it out, you will always be Loved and remembered ♥️
Amanda Langs says:
My thoughts aren’t just with you, my actions and my words align. I am educating myself about the history of a turtle island and its people. thank you for being so open and vulnerable so that I, a white person, can learn about my privilege and use it to raise others. You are all beautiful people and have good hearts. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.
Vicki says:
I am beyond words over this loss in your community and sending thoughts of healing. I will do everything I can to share what I am learning. The Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge is hope in action. Thank you for sharing.
Laura says:
Sending love, thoughts, healing, and prayers to your nation.
Not just from myself, but this news reached many in the Hñähñu Otomi nation as well, and we are in support of you our northern relatives. We love you, we love those children and wish the best healing and prosperity for your present and future.
Dino says:
I discover your website thanks to a psot on Linkedin by Kacheena Naytowhow
The picture , your native culture , your history and your heritage is something we need to take care in this planet
Love and respect from Italy
Grace says:
There are no words to convey the gravity of loss, pain and injustice that has been caused. Our hearts pour out to the community in this time of healing.
Sheila says:
Your strength is more than I can even imagine. Our family’s thoughts are with you and yours.
harold orton says:
I pray that my family has heard the cries of their people! May the Creator hold them near, while we move closer to what we hold dear!
Tyendinaga Mohawk Terrritory MBQ
MONA says:
A lot of love and respect
Nandy Heule says:
You told us to read the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I did. Finally.
Thank you.
Ishbel Munro says:
We have been keeping you all in our Prayers from the east. Praying also that people across the land will continue to speak out for the children and survivors. We need to recognize the genocide continues through the foster care system and racism.
My heart aches
Jennifer Wilczynski says:
My heart breaks for all of those children. This shouldn’t have ever happened. I hope there will be a way to reunite these children with their families.
Anne Bird says:
I care deeply.
Leeanne says:
Sending heartfelt thoughts and healing to the people of the Cowesses Nation and all those effected by these dreadful deeds against the most innocent of all- your children . The truth has been revealed and evil seen for what it is. The time has come for change and we are standing with you all <3
Trawlwoolway and Bunurong -Australia
Carmen says:
This should have never happened. May all the children come home.
Diane Lanford says:
My heart and soul weeps for the loss of these precious lives. I can’t even fathom the degree of evil behind these heinous acts. Praying for justice and peace for the souls of the children. 💗 🙏
Ryan Thomas says:
Sending prayer and strength to out!! And support! If there’s anything else to help better spread awareness or donate please let me know
Jessica says:
The sickening things that have been done to deplete your beautiful culture is beyond heartbreaking. Sending support, love, peace and serenity to your nation.
Chelsey says:
Sending love during this immense time of grief. No one deserves mistreatment and on such a scale. Standing with you from the US <3
Mary Ciuciura says:
There are no words to express my heartfelt condolences to you and your families. We will not forget and support you in your sorrows.
Jackie says:
I’m… sickened. Absolutely sickened. I can’t even imagine the pain and suffering those children had to go through at the hands of people who look like me. Words cannot begin to express how sorry I am that any of this happened… I’m… just genuinely at a loss for words. This should never have happened.
I know there will never be a way to fix this – the destruction has already been done – but I hope that by finding their bodies, and bringing them home, we can begin to at least make things right again. This is only one step of many, but an important step nonetheless.
Sending all of my love and support to you and your people, and my condolences for the sorrow you must all be feeling. The earth itself mourns for your children, and the people upon her will set things right. There will be justice, Tyr as my witness.
To the souls of those poor children – may your gods bring you to eternal peace. You will never be forgotten.
Anya says:
This is horrific and I am so sorry to read about this. Hoping that people will be held accountable.
Debbie says:
You will never be forgotten.
🧡🧡🧡🧡
Ms Haynes says:
Hoping the government or someone is held responsible for this.
Amy Durocher says:
This is horrific, heartbreaking, and impossible for me to understand. The cruelty, the shirking of responsibility, the dismissal of the culture and even humanity of First Nations people. I am so sorry. I am not a Christian, but do pray to the creator for all of us and the earth. I can’t see the world the same way now.
Candice says:
This is genocide. I am heartbroken over these innocent babies. I can only hope that there is justice for these children, their families, and all indigenous peoples. I stand with you.
Sabrina D says:
My deepest sympathy and condolences for all those precious lives lost but not forgotten. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. Better is to come!
Megan Groulx says:
I am appalled and saddened by what happened to those children and my heart goes out to all those who have been effected.
Kayla Nino says:
My heart goes out to all who’ve been effected. I simply don’t have the words to express how horrible reading this makes me feel. I too wish them all a peaceful journey to the afterlife.
Aries says:
What happened to these children is horrific and should never be forgotten. I am so sorry for everything Indigenous and Aboriginal people have been forced to endure, continue to endure, and will likely endure in the future.
Landon Geitzenauer says:
My deepest sympathies to everyone involved in this situation.
Dannielle says:
I stand with the first nation people of CANADA. I am appalled and deeply Saddened of these findings, poor innocent children murdered because of their race. I too am Aboriginal from Australia, we understand and our love and support are the First Nation Peoples. Justice must be done.
Mary says:
So many lost innocent souls, finally get to rest in peace!
We will never forget. We will keep fighting. We will be strong.
May we honour our Ancestors as we begin to heal, strengthen, and pass our teachings to our children. It’s more important now, that ever!
We are still here! ✊🏼
Julie says:
I’m writing to express my horror at the cruelty shown to the children who died in the boarding schools and to express sympathy to those who lost their loved ones in this dreadful way. I will do my best to raise awareness of what happened here in the United Kingdom.
Elizabeth S. says:
I’ve started and deleted nearly ten times before this, struggling to think of words to express my thoughts. What I should say. But what matters is that people know that there is one more person who knows the truth. One more person who supports you. One more person who is sending love across the arbitrary border and across the miles. And this is tangible proof.
I will definitely be sharing this with others.
Ken Pilon says:
Good morning. I am writing to pledge my support after listening to Chief Cadmus on CBC’s The Current on July 16th. Chief Cadmus, you are very well spoken and your words are helping to educate Canadians in our true and complete history. I sincerely thank you for your knowledge, caring, and spiritual approach to your role as Chief and leader of Cowessess.
Let me start by saying that I have an assortment of connections to Cowessess First Nation. As a young Catholic boy, our family had a cottage on Moose Boy. In the summer, my parents took our family to the Cowesses church on Sundays.
We currently have two young women from Cowessess renting the home next door to us in Regina. And a few years ago, I met with Chief Cadmus in your offices in regards to an insurance question.
Finally, at age 16, I worked for the electrical company that wired the new gymnasium being added to the school. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my body was absorbing some of the spirits and the trauma that permeated the basement rooms and hallway of that building.
On the morning of the horrific news, I was at our cottage at Good Spirit Lake and I was gutted. I couldn’t even look at my feet, simply from knowing where they had walked. I lost my balance so in order to begin my healing I laid down in the grass on my back. I watched the sky, and I saw the face of a child in every cloud that passed overhead.
To honour those victims, later in the day I built a memorial in front of our cottage. It is a small orange table with a pair of small shoes, a bowl of fresh sage, and an orange T-shirt. Then I found two raven feathers on our property and I added those. The next day, I noticed that someone had placed a toy truck on the table. The message is slowly but surely being spread.
Then, I added a sign titled “Residential School Victims”. I’ve written the numbers of each site uncovered to date. And I am saddened to know that the number will likely continue to rise.
This small memorial has started a few conversations with folks walking by. While conversing, I do my best to teach them Canada’s complete history and instill a concept of the horror. As one of the TRC’s recommendations, I feel this dialogue will help heal relationships.
I will end by saying that my trauma is minor. The pain and hurt and trauma being felt by the Band’s families – parents, siblings, elders, and leaders – is much greater. I cannot fathom it. I can only acknowledge it, and send positive spiritual energy to you. I pledge to continue doing that.
Blessings to all. Respectfully. Ken Pilon
Susan says:
These little souls will never be forgotten. We must bring them home.
Cheryl Stadnichuk says:
My heart is heavy and I mourn for the beautiful children who were taken from their families and not returned. You found them and the truth of their demise is now known across this province, this country and the world.
I stand with you and support you as your Nation does the painful but healing work of going through a dignified and culturally appropriate identification and honouring of the remains.
As an elected City of Regina Councillor, I will do all that I can to take meaningful and concrete actions for reconciliation and decolonization. I am your ally but still have much to learn from First Nations about what it means to be an ally.
Julio Gonzales says:
We have come to Canada leaving behind our homeland, willing to embrace this new land as our own, we have learned to respect and love it. What we were not prepared for was to learn these tremendous injustices and unspeakable crimes against the innocent, as a parent I just simply can’t and makes me sick.
I pray for all the children that were sacrificed and I wish we all find peace and a path to heal and learn we are all in this together.
The land is one, no more than the air we share and the water we drink, the pain and sorrow is heartfelt and the wound still bleeds.
My solidarity with you brothers and sisters, we all have a common ancestor and we will all end our journey sooner or later. Lets make path as we walk, for this path can only be walked together.
Allan says:
I wish you all good fortune and long and happier lives!
Debra Billups says:
Today is a landmark day for the Cowessess’ people’s with the signing that I witnessed online and the appointment of Mary Simon as our Governor General. Although I am a white woman, I again wished to show my solidarity with all indigenous peoples of Canada and so wore my orange t-shirt and COVID-19 orange mask to our local mall this afternoon. An old, white man approached me stating, “Now I know that I’m in the wrong building.” We all have a long way to go…a long way to go.
Along with my personal friends, we are ashamed, shocked, and wondering what we can do to help us all move forward. For myself, after spending 40 years with spreadsheets, databases, and word processors, I would jump at the chance to pass this information to any indigenous child that comes my way. In turn, I would only ask your peoples forgiveness if, in my ignorance, I would say or do something that would bring dishonor to any relationship.
I live in Penticton, B.C., a land never ceded by the Syilix people of the Okanagan. From my 5th floor apartment I watched and photographed the church burn at 2 a.m., hoping against hope that it was another building. I visited what was left later that morning, around 9:15. I continue to share tears with all grieving this loss, and the loss of the church in Oliver.
May we take each small step together, forward, each in our canoe of love, respect, patience, and endurance. Again, to your Chief and to the people of the Cowessess, my warmest and sincerest congratulations for today’s signing, and for our future understanding of each other.
Leslie J. Smith, B.A, LL.B., Q.Arb says:
Every child deserves to be identified and named and honored. Every IRS site must be examined for graves. Every Indigenous person in this country deserves our love, respect, honor, compassion, empathy and assistance. I stand with you in solidarity and in prayer, my heart broken for the atrocities inflicted upon you, our host people. I pray blessings, healing and peace in your hearts.
Andrea says:
I would like to express my deepest sympathy and anger and outrage over what has been done to the children of indigenous peoples. Words are not enough to describe all the emotions I feel. For centuries, suffering and injustice have been inflicted on the indigenous peoples. Sometimes I am ashamed of belonging to the white race. I understand all of the pent-up anger that arises from centuries of oppression and destruction of indigenous cultures. On behalf of the white race, who have caused so much suffering and injustice to people of different skin colors and cultures, I ask for forgiveness. My heart and my support go out to all indigenous peoples who are demanding their rights and reparations. God bless you all!
elias says:
Love
Lucia Pereira says:
I’ve been feeling broken, tearful and loss for words over the recent news of the tragedies that have been discovered. Although I am not indigenous, it doesn’t come as a surprise to me. I’ve known about the torture and horrors for many, many years now. Angered over the government never doing enough and the catholic church in denial and refusing to offer a public apology as well and not offering much compensation. I STAND WITH YOU!!! My heart pours out to the Cowessess people and all indigenous communities….. I have no doubt that the trauma of these events are felt deeply by all First Nations people…. It is time to learn, take ownership, offer proper compensation and do better…..!! Justice must prevail!! And then Love and healing can begin…. warm hugs…. oxox
Arthur says:
I, like many others, continue to weep regarding the recent discoveries of unmarked graves. It seems obvious to me that the true numbers will far exceed the estimates to date. I would also like convey my admiration for Chief Delorme. You are displaying exemplary leadership and I was moved to read the calls to action as you requested.
In related recent events, I work for a large US-based company that provided all employees a day of reflection on Juneteenth. In the spirit of that day I chose to read Theodore Fontaine’s Broken Circle to learn more about the experience of children in residential schools and have been recommending the book to others.
Again, thank you for your patience and for educating us.
Pat Whitteker says:
I stand with you in support.
Linda K says:
As a mother I grieve for your children, and for your ancestors, as well as for the history of the land we now share. I cannot understand man’s inhumanity to man. They were just children…. 😔
Ruth MacNeill says:
Today’s presence of Canada’s many Indigenous communities is a testament to the cultural and personal strength of our Indigenous people despite experiencing so many abuses. The residential school children, and many more yet to be discovered in their graves, have brought the issue of Indigenous abuse to the forefront. It is now our task to stand with our Indigenous people for a genuine reconciliation. Godspeed
Dennis Garreck says:
Thinking of the people of Cowessess and those impacted by the discovery of the unmarked graves, To the survivors, the Elders and to all of those grieving may you find peace. Sending warm thoughts and prayers.
Rachel Lewis says:
As a child who witnessed the murder of children myself, I stand with you during this time of deep grief. May you know comfort that is beyond words.
Monty Sayers says:
I grew up in Kamloops as an average white family. Enough money to live modestly. There was always a budget. During my childhood the “RES SCHOOL” was a haunting building and the whispers among my family friends and my best friends was that there was EVIL there. Little did I know how evil! My Jr High/High School times were entwined with Indigenous students. Even then I wondered why they were so angry and wanted to fight! I now realize why. I remember Len MARCHAND from the Kamloops Reservation becoming our MP. How proud at my age that he represented us. I went on to 30 years as an RCMPolice. I spent a lot of time working the white system with the Native world. It worked very poorly and I always had a spot in my heart for those that I dealt with. I regret the treatment most were given by the Force(including the Native Members). Some of my best/worst memories were from when I was involved with the Native people. I’ve never met better humour and the hardship they lived through. Chief Cadmus has struck a nerve in me that has never been touched before! His eloquence and forethought for him and his people is outstanding! I stand with him and all Native Peoples world wide. Please tell him and the “Dreammakes” to know this is your time. The World is finally listening because of this tragic truth that has been known but not brought front and centre till now. Please know I am with you and and no longer are you just that “Indian”. I’m proud of you and your Nation! Please become the respected Nation you deserve to be. Don’t loose sight of your incredible history and disregard the “Colonial Mistake” of all time
Cheers Monty SAYERS
Alberta
Anonymous says:
Myself and my family wish to express our heartfelt condolences to everyone who is grieving at this time. It is an almost unbearable sorrow . ❤️
Marlena says:
My thoughts and Prayers for healing and justice are with you and all our FIrst Nations.
Dave Wicks Sr. says:
I sit with my head down and an ache in my heart. I feel a deep regret and shame but at the same time realize something profound is happening. This may well be a turning point in the history of the land we share. I feel a deep respect for Chief Cadmus Delorme and say thank you for your Leadership, Grace, Humility and Wisdom. May the Creator Bless you and protect you. You have our ear and attention. Talk to us often. My grandchildren were present at the Vigil. They will not forget. We live near Moose Jaw and will walk in support tomorrow. We will learn from you and we will support you. Dave
Carla Harris says:
I send my heart and love and energy to the community of Cowessess First Nation, and Indigenous people everywhere. My heart is both with the lost, and with the survivors who experience this pain today. Sending wishes of healing, love, and peace, C-
Heidi Kreiner-Ley says:
My dear First Nation friends and fellow Canadians. So many of us today are sending you healing energy from our hearts as fellow Canadians. I was born in 1956 in Toronto to new immigrants from Austria Europe and as a teenager raised in Catholic Schools. I heard about residential schools but never knew what they truly were or how they operated. Today, reading about the travesty and horror inflicted on our FN families, especially the children, breaks my heart. I PROMISE as a Proud Canadian to stand with you, vote for change, read the Truth and Reconciliation Report and teach my children and grandchildren about it. I PROMISE to stand with you and demand from our governments to provide what our FN’s people need to have a good quality of life for their communities. You are all in my prayers for healing. I bow my head and ask for forgiveness for any part I may have played in not understanding your lives, for not knowing or turning a blind eye. May every Spirit finds its home my friends. Canada has you in our hearts. Saweyihtâkosiwin Heidi Kreiner-Ley, Ontario, Canada
Frank says:
Let me start by saying we can’t change the past but we have to acknowledge that it did happen and that we need to do much better moving forward. I say this because my sisters and I were born in the late 50’s me in 1958 and but for the grace of the creator this could have been our family. We could have been torn from our parents arms and put into any one of those residential schools, and that scares me.
I am so sorry, I am sorry for what my country has done to all of you, our beautiful first peoples. I am sorry for what the Catholic Church had to do with the breaking up of families and the rape of the children and killing of these precious children.
I apologize for taking your land and then writing history books about the amazing adventures discovering this new land and taking it for their own.
I am sorry that we pushed you out and left you with very little land and not the land that we wanted. I am sorry for the drinking water that we polluted and then expected you to drink. I’m sorry we brought our way of life to you when in fact you were living your best lives and had we accepted this way of life, Canada and the America’s would be much better off today.
I come to you now on bent knee and beg your forgiveness and I ask can we work together to try again and make our lives better together?
I say today that we must pass a bill in the governments that from this day forward that no matter what party we have in government in Canada and in all Provinces there must be an Indigenous elder with a main seat in charge. This elder will have complete veto rights in all land management matters moving forward. There will be an Indigenous elder in all provinces with the same seat and powers. No matter who we vote in when we have our elections there will first be that elder in his or her seat regardless of what we decide. I suggest that the Governor General will now be an Indigenous leader from now on voted in by your people.
We need to act now and get these people in place while we work on getting clean water to all of your communities.
We must find the remainder of the children that were killed or died in the schools and try to identify them and give them a burial and honour them.
Only when this is complete can we start again like we have just landed on your shores. Then we can start to live together with you learning your ways. Bringing back your language and culture to your children in your schools and community.
I need to stop now because I can go on forever with the way I want to see our country and the world run.
I am truly sorry and beg for your forgiveness and ask that you accept me into your family as a brother.
Dee Delorme says:
Nothing we say or do can change the past but it is up to everyone of us to acknowledge, accept and help heal the trauma through real reconciliation. All Canadians have benefited from the abuses heaped upon First Nation people and so we should pitch in and help do the work to heal. Stop defending the guilty and listen to the stories and champion the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We are all human beings and we should be looking out for each other. My hands are raised to everyone.
Simone says:
My heart is with Cowessess and all First Nations whose grief is tangible. I pray that you locate all of your dear children and answer the families’ questions about where they went. I pray that you bring your dear children home.
Bev Schloendorf says:
A Letter to the Chief June 29, 2021
Cadmus Delorme
Cowessess First Nation
Cowessess, SK S0G 5L0
Sir;
I can not pretend to know and understand the pain and suffering the People have endured.
I can not pretend to understand the Spiritual ways of the People or how best to deal with the hurts you are trying to heal.
I wish it had never been the way it was. I wish the world as a whole were a better place.
For everybody.
My heart hurts for the families of the lost children and for the survivors. Old wounds torn open once more to bleed again. Generations lost for no good reason.
So I offer you the following prayer.
Perhaps it will help the healing that may now begin.
Perhaps it will allow the lost to find the path back to who they were and should have been.
Perhaps it will help the children return to the Ancestors
That is my hope. Freely given and meant with the best of intentions and care.
Sincerely,
Bev Schloendorf.
Children of the Plains,
Children of the Woodlands.
No words can express the pain
Of your loss.
You were the Hope and the Promise
Of you families,
Of your People.
So rudely were you taken.
So sadly were you missed.
So badly were you treated.
So much has been lost.
So many never returned.
So many futures broken.
However,
Those lost, were not forgotten
and are found.
Those broken can find healing.
Though the path is long
The Spirits of your People
Are still with you
To guide and protect you
As you make the journey.
The only way past the darkness
Is through.
To another day, a new beginning.
New hope. New strength.
The Ancestors wait at the end
Keyam.
Kerri says:
I am sending all my love, thoughts and prayers to the victims and families of Cowessess. This discovery opens many wounds and I pray that there will be closure and justice for all families. The Cowessess children will never be forgotten.
Betty Anne Eisler says:
My heart goes out to the families of these beautiful children 😭. This should never have happened , and I pray justice is served🙏🏽❤️
Betty Anne Eisler says:
Sorry, is just not enough😢 I pray for these little souls to be in a better place where they hurt no longer and can run and play and be happy again. I pray that the people who harmed these little ones gets punished to the full extent! I am so very sad they ever had such places😡. Growing up, I had never heard of residential schools, and I am so sorry for the families that endured this. My heart goes out to you♥️♥️
Hearts of Saint John NB says:
Saint John, NB Canada our hearts bleed with yours. We stand with you, we mourn with you. Today and always.
Paula says:
Sending love and support to all of Cowesses First Nation. I also pray for healing and peace for the residential school survivors.
SEYIT AYDOGAN says:
I am a journalist based in Canada. One of the news that affected me the most in my professional life, which broke my heart, was the children who lost their lives in these schools. While I was writing my news, I sometimes cried. I share the pain of the relatives of these children and of you as a society. What happened in Canada 100 years ago and what children in many parts of the world are experiencing today is simply cruelty. It all started the day we lost our love. What else can he love who does not love children, the greatest example of innocence?
Margaret says:
The grief you are suffering is enormous. My heart now beats for the children who died for the survivors and for all Indigenous people who continue to suffer.
Tacey Boychuj says:
First my condolences to all the families across Canada impacted by residential schools past and present.
Second, I admire the leadership and strength of the elders, chiefs and communities.
Third, thank you for providing this page for me to post. I am not First Nations, but I am angry and hurt.
Forth, please continue to lead the change, tell us as Canadians how we can change, how we can do this together.
Fifth, I look forward to a future where my family and yours can look back and say we made a difference, our communities came together and have been healed.
Nicole Frederickson says:
Thank you for this opportunity to send a message of love. As many have stated, words seem inadequate to express the witnessing of grief, pain and utter tragedy that has just now come to light to the public, but has been held within your community for so long. I send sympathy, support and love to the children. To the mothers and fathers and families. To the survivors. To your community. May this time be for justice, healing and peace for each and every one … here now and gone. My sympathy and support. 💙
Danielle Jeddore says:
Grateful for the opportunity to send a message of remembrance to honour every life lost and affected by institutionalized racism. My sympathies especially go out to the families who were separated from their children, the extent of your grief is unimaginable. May their dear spirits and all the spirits of those affected by these human rights atrocities be lifted by the prayers, songs and dances of their Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations. Msit no’kmaq.
Marg Roswell says:
My heart breaks for all the children who were silenced in the most despicable way.
I’m sorry for the families. I’m sorry for the generations of suffering.
I pray justice is done for all those involved who had no regard for your culture,
I pray the children’s voices are now heard, and they can finally know that they were never forgotten. May they now rest i. Peace.
Justice must be down for all.
Jen says:
There aren’t adequate words, but to the people of Cowessess First Nation, and to all First Nations People, I send love, and wishes for healing.
I have to trust that from here the story will finally change. That each of your children will be searched for and found, and the momentum of this truth will hold until concrete change happens in our country.
I’m so sorry for what we’ve put you through from generations upon generations. I don’t know how any of it can possibly be undone, but I hope that by finding your children, there can be a start. I wish peace and healing for each of you.
Matthew Beynham says:
My heart is broken at the news from Cowesses. I hope this will be a wake-up call for the church and the nation.
Time for truth. Time for justice.
Danielle Hamelin says:
I extend my love, empathy & strength to each & every one of you who have felt & continue to feel the affects of the deep trauma that’s been inflicted on your people. Your babies’, your adult’s & youth’s bodies deserve the dignity of headstones & proper care after their life on earth has ended. The continued systemic racism designed to keep Indigenous people ‘down’ is reprehensible & I commit to doing what I can in my capacity to challenge & change my own biases & those of others by learning & practicing empathy. Your people past & present deserve respect, dignity & love. I send my deepest respect to each of you I’m fortunate to know & those of you I hope to meet & know. All my love ❤️🖤💛🤍
Dillon villeneuve-trottier says:
My deepest condolences to all the families going threw this and community of cowessess First Nation and my cousin & his family this is so heart breaking 🥺 fly home little ones 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
Carla says:
I am truly sorry that children had to go through this trauma and that families were left torn apart or uncertain of the whereabouts of their young ones. From my heart I hope the community is able to find peace and that the wounds that remain can now begin to heal with new answers forthcoming.
Katherine says:
Sending active support, love and prayers to the community of Cowessess First Nation, and everyone affected by residential schools 🧡 we see you, you are valued, and we support you. I will continue to stand alongside you in seeking such deserved justice, and being an active ally.
Wendy says:
My words to express how I feel about this tragedy are hard to come. It is only recently that I found out my grandson is a dependent of Cowessess, I feel blessed he will not have to face this terrible system know as Residential Schools. May the families begin healing and may the government ensure change happens to support the healing. 🧡🧡🧡
Cindy Powell says:
My heart breaks for the community of Cowessess First Nation. I’m sending prayers for the survivors, families and the people of Cowessess.
Jeffrey Water Chief says:
My thoughts and prayers for all those precious children. May they journey peacefully to the other side. Also prayers for everyone affected by these atrocities. 🧡🧡🧡
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion? Feel free to contribute!
To each and every child who didn’t make it out, you will always be Loved and remembered ♥️
My thoughts aren’t just with you, my actions and my words align. I am educating myself about the history of a turtle island and its people. thank you for being so open and vulnerable so that I, a white person, can learn about my privilege and use it to raise others. You are all beautiful people and have good hearts. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.
I am beyond words over this loss in your community and sending thoughts of healing. I will do everything I can to share what I am learning. The Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge is hope in action. Thank you for sharing.
Sending love, thoughts, healing, and prayers to your nation.
Not just from myself, but this news reached many in the Hñähñu Otomi nation as well, and we are in support of you our northern relatives. We love you, we love those children and wish the best healing and prosperity for your present and future.
I discover your website thanks to a psot on Linkedin by Kacheena Naytowhow
The picture , your native culture , your history and your heritage is something we need to take care in this planet
Love and respect from Italy
There are no words to convey the gravity of loss, pain and injustice that has been caused. Our hearts pour out to the community in this time of healing.
Your strength is more than I can even imagine. Our family’s thoughts are with you and yours.
I pray that my family has heard the cries of their people! May the Creator hold them near, while we move closer to what we hold dear!
Tyendinaga Mohawk Terrritory MBQ
A lot of love and respect
You told us to read the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I did. Finally.
Thank you.
We have been keeping you all in our Prayers from the east. Praying also that people across the land will continue to speak out for the children and survivors. We need to recognize the genocide continues through the foster care system and racism.
My heart aches
My heart breaks for all of those children. This shouldn’t have ever happened. I hope there will be a way to reunite these children with their families.
I care deeply.
Sending heartfelt thoughts and healing to the people of the Cowesses Nation and all those effected by these dreadful deeds against the most innocent of all- your children . The truth has been revealed and evil seen for what it is. The time has come for change and we are standing with you all <3
Trawlwoolway and Bunurong -Australia
This should have never happened. May all the children come home.
My heart and soul weeps for the loss of these precious lives. I can’t even fathom the degree of evil behind these heinous acts. Praying for justice and peace for the souls of the children. 💗 🙏
Sending prayer and strength to out!! And support! If there’s anything else to help better spread awareness or donate please let me know
The sickening things that have been done to deplete your beautiful culture is beyond heartbreaking. Sending support, love, peace and serenity to your nation.
Sending love during this immense time of grief. No one deserves mistreatment and on such a scale. Standing with you from the US <3
There are no words to express my heartfelt condolences to you and your families. We will not forget and support you in your sorrows.
I’m… sickened. Absolutely sickened. I can’t even imagine the pain and suffering those children had to go through at the hands of people who look like me. Words cannot begin to express how sorry I am that any of this happened… I’m… just genuinely at a loss for words. This should never have happened.
I know there will never be a way to fix this – the destruction has already been done – but I hope that by finding their bodies, and bringing them home, we can begin to at least make things right again. This is only one step of many, but an important step nonetheless.
Sending all of my love and support to you and your people, and my condolences for the sorrow you must all be feeling. The earth itself mourns for your children, and the people upon her will set things right. There will be justice, Tyr as my witness.
To the souls of those poor children – may your gods bring you to eternal peace. You will never be forgotten.
This is horrific and I am so sorry to read about this. Hoping that people will be held accountable.
You will never be forgotten.
🧡🧡🧡🧡
Hoping the government or someone is held responsible for this.
This is horrific, heartbreaking, and impossible for me to understand. The cruelty, the shirking of responsibility, the dismissal of the culture and even humanity of First Nations people. I am so sorry. I am not a Christian, but do pray to the creator for all of us and the earth. I can’t see the world the same way now.
This is genocide. I am heartbroken over these innocent babies. I can only hope that there is justice for these children, their families, and all indigenous peoples. I stand with you.
My deepest sympathy and condolences for all those precious lives lost but not forgotten. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. Better is to come!
I am appalled and saddened by what happened to those children and my heart goes out to all those who have been effected.
My heart goes out to all who’ve been effected. I simply don’t have the words to express how horrible reading this makes me feel. I too wish them all a peaceful journey to the afterlife.
What happened to these children is horrific and should never be forgotten. I am so sorry for everything Indigenous and Aboriginal people have been forced to endure, continue to endure, and will likely endure in the future.
My deepest sympathies to everyone involved in this situation.
I stand with the first nation people of CANADA. I am appalled and deeply Saddened of these findings, poor innocent children murdered because of their race. I too am Aboriginal from Australia, we understand and our love and support are the First Nation Peoples. Justice must be done.
So many lost innocent souls, finally get to rest in peace!
We will never forget. We will keep fighting. We will be strong.
May we honour our Ancestors as we begin to heal, strengthen, and pass our teachings to our children. It’s more important now, that ever!
We are still here! ✊🏼
I’m writing to express my horror at the cruelty shown to the children who died in the boarding schools and to express sympathy to those who lost their loved ones in this dreadful way. I will do my best to raise awareness of what happened here in the United Kingdom.
I’ve started and deleted nearly ten times before this, struggling to think of words to express my thoughts. What I should say. But what matters is that people know that there is one more person who knows the truth. One more person who supports you. One more person who is sending love across the arbitrary border and across the miles. And this is tangible proof.
I will definitely be sharing this with others.
Good morning. I am writing to pledge my support after listening to Chief Cadmus on CBC’s The Current on July 16th. Chief Cadmus, you are very well spoken and your words are helping to educate Canadians in our true and complete history. I sincerely thank you for your knowledge, caring, and spiritual approach to your role as Chief and leader of Cowessess.
Let me start by saying that I have an assortment of connections to Cowessess First Nation. As a young Catholic boy, our family had a cottage on Moose Boy. In the summer, my parents took our family to the Cowesses church on Sundays.
We currently have two young women from Cowessess renting the home next door to us in Regina. And a few years ago, I met with Chief Cadmus in your offices in regards to an insurance question.
Finally, at age 16, I worked for the electrical company that wired the new gymnasium being added to the school. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my body was absorbing some of the spirits and the trauma that permeated the basement rooms and hallway of that building.
On the morning of the horrific news, I was at our cottage at Good Spirit Lake and I was gutted. I couldn’t even look at my feet, simply from knowing where they had walked. I lost my balance so in order to begin my healing I laid down in the grass on my back. I watched the sky, and I saw the face of a child in every cloud that passed overhead.
To honour those victims, later in the day I built a memorial in front of our cottage. It is a small orange table with a pair of small shoes, a bowl of fresh sage, and an orange T-shirt. Then I found two raven feathers on our property and I added those. The next day, I noticed that someone had placed a toy truck on the table. The message is slowly but surely being spread.
Then, I added a sign titled “Residential School Victims”. I’ve written the numbers of each site uncovered to date. And I am saddened to know that the number will likely continue to rise.
This small memorial has started a few conversations with folks walking by. While conversing, I do my best to teach them Canada’s complete history and instill a concept of the horror. As one of the TRC’s recommendations, I feel this dialogue will help heal relationships.
I will end by saying that my trauma is minor. The pain and hurt and trauma being felt by the Band’s families – parents, siblings, elders, and leaders – is much greater. I cannot fathom it. I can only acknowledge it, and send positive spiritual energy to you. I pledge to continue doing that.
Blessings to all. Respectfully. Ken Pilon
These little souls will never be forgotten. We must bring them home.
My heart is heavy and I mourn for the beautiful children who were taken from their families and not returned. You found them and the truth of their demise is now known across this province, this country and the world.
I stand with you and support you as your Nation does the painful but healing work of going through a dignified and culturally appropriate identification and honouring of the remains.
As an elected City of Regina Councillor, I will do all that I can to take meaningful and concrete actions for reconciliation and decolonization. I am your ally but still have much to learn from First Nations about what it means to be an ally.
We have come to Canada leaving behind our homeland, willing to embrace this new land as our own, we have learned to respect and love it. What we were not prepared for was to learn these tremendous injustices and unspeakable crimes against the innocent, as a parent I just simply can’t and makes me sick.
I pray for all the children that were sacrificed and I wish we all find peace and a path to heal and learn we are all in this together.
The land is one, no more than the air we share and the water we drink, the pain and sorrow is heartfelt and the wound still bleeds.
My solidarity with you brothers and sisters, we all have a common ancestor and we will all end our journey sooner or later. Lets make path as we walk, for this path can only be walked together.
I wish you all good fortune and long and happier lives!
Today is a landmark day for the Cowessess’ people’s with the signing that I witnessed online and the appointment of Mary Simon as our Governor General. Although I am a white woman, I again wished to show my solidarity with all indigenous peoples of Canada and so wore my orange t-shirt and COVID-19 orange mask to our local mall this afternoon. An old, white man approached me stating, “Now I know that I’m in the wrong building.” We all have a long way to go…a long way to go.
Along with my personal friends, we are ashamed, shocked, and wondering what we can do to help us all move forward. For myself, after spending 40 years with spreadsheets, databases, and word processors, I would jump at the chance to pass this information to any indigenous child that comes my way. In turn, I would only ask your peoples forgiveness if, in my ignorance, I would say or do something that would bring dishonor to any relationship.
I live in Penticton, B.C., a land never ceded by the Syilix people of the Okanagan. From my 5th floor apartment I watched and photographed the church burn at 2 a.m., hoping against hope that it was another building. I visited what was left later that morning, around 9:15. I continue to share tears with all grieving this loss, and the loss of the church in Oliver.
May we take each small step together, forward, each in our canoe of love, respect, patience, and endurance. Again, to your Chief and to the people of the Cowessess, my warmest and sincerest congratulations for today’s signing, and for our future understanding of each other.
Every child deserves to be identified and named and honored. Every IRS site must be examined for graves. Every Indigenous person in this country deserves our love, respect, honor, compassion, empathy and assistance. I stand with you in solidarity and in prayer, my heart broken for the atrocities inflicted upon you, our host people. I pray blessings, healing and peace in your hearts.
I would like to express my deepest sympathy and anger and outrage over what has been done to the children of indigenous peoples. Words are not enough to describe all the emotions I feel. For centuries, suffering and injustice have been inflicted on the indigenous peoples. Sometimes I am ashamed of belonging to the white race. I understand all of the pent-up anger that arises from centuries of oppression and destruction of indigenous cultures. On behalf of the white race, who have caused so much suffering and injustice to people of different skin colors and cultures, I ask for forgiveness. My heart and my support go out to all indigenous peoples who are demanding their rights and reparations. God bless you all!
Love
I’ve been feeling broken, tearful and loss for words over the recent news of the tragedies that have been discovered. Although I am not indigenous, it doesn’t come as a surprise to me. I’ve known about the torture and horrors for many, many years now. Angered over the government never doing enough and the catholic church in denial and refusing to offer a public apology as well and not offering much compensation. I STAND WITH YOU!!! My heart pours out to the Cowessess people and all indigenous communities….. I have no doubt that the trauma of these events are felt deeply by all First Nations people…. It is time to learn, take ownership, offer proper compensation and do better…..!! Justice must prevail!! And then Love and healing can begin…. warm hugs…. oxox
I, like many others, continue to weep regarding the recent discoveries of unmarked graves. It seems obvious to me that the true numbers will far exceed the estimates to date. I would also like convey my admiration for Chief Delorme. You are displaying exemplary leadership and I was moved to read the calls to action as you requested.
In related recent events, I work for a large US-based company that provided all employees a day of reflection on Juneteenth. In the spirit of that day I chose to read Theodore Fontaine’s Broken Circle to learn more about the experience of children in residential schools and have been recommending the book to others.
Again, thank you for your patience and for educating us.
I stand with you in support.
As a mother I grieve for your children, and for your ancestors, as well as for the history of the land we now share. I cannot understand man’s inhumanity to man. They were just children…. 😔
Today’s presence of Canada’s many Indigenous communities is a testament to the cultural and personal strength of our Indigenous people despite experiencing so many abuses. The residential school children, and many more yet to be discovered in their graves, have brought the issue of Indigenous abuse to the forefront. It is now our task to stand with our Indigenous people for a genuine reconciliation. Godspeed
Thinking of the people of Cowessess and those impacted by the discovery of the unmarked graves, To the survivors, the Elders and to all of those grieving may you find peace. Sending warm thoughts and prayers.
As a child who witnessed the murder of children myself, I stand with you during this time of deep grief. May you know comfort that is beyond words.
I grew up in Kamloops as an average white family. Enough money to live modestly. There was always a budget. During my childhood the “RES SCHOOL” was a haunting building and the whispers among my family friends and my best friends was that there was EVIL there. Little did I know how evil! My Jr High/High School times were entwined with Indigenous students. Even then I wondered why they were so angry and wanted to fight! I now realize why. I remember Len MARCHAND from the Kamloops Reservation becoming our MP. How proud at my age that he represented us. I went on to 30 years as an RCMPolice. I spent a lot of time working the white system with the Native world. It worked very poorly and I always had a spot in my heart for those that I dealt with. I regret the treatment most were given by the Force(including the Native Members). Some of my best/worst memories were from when I was involved with the Native people. I’ve never met better humour and the hardship they lived through. Chief Cadmus has struck a nerve in me that has never been touched before! His eloquence and forethought for him and his people is outstanding! I stand with him and all Native Peoples world wide. Please tell him and the “Dreammakes” to know this is your time. The World is finally listening because of this tragic truth that has been known but not brought front and centre till now. Please know I am with you and and no longer are you just that “Indian”. I’m proud of you and your Nation! Please become the respected Nation you deserve to be. Don’t loose sight of your incredible history and disregard the “Colonial Mistake” of all time
Cheers Monty SAYERS
Alberta
Myself and my family wish to express our heartfelt condolences to everyone who is grieving at this time. It is an almost unbearable sorrow . ❤️
My thoughts and Prayers for healing and justice are with you and all our FIrst Nations.
I sit with my head down and an ache in my heart. I feel a deep regret and shame but at the same time realize something profound is happening. This may well be a turning point in the history of the land we share. I feel a deep respect for Chief Cadmus Delorme and say thank you for your Leadership, Grace, Humility and Wisdom. May the Creator Bless you and protect you. You have our ear and attention. Talk to us often. My grandchildren were present at the Vigil. They will not forget. We live near Moose Jaw and will walk in support tomorrow. We will learn from you and we will support you. Dave
I send my heart and love and energy to the community of Cowessess First Nation, and Indigenous people everywhere. My heart is both with the lost, and with the survivors who experience this pain today. Sending wishes of healing, love, and peace, C-
My dear First Nation friends and fellow Canadians. So many of us today are sending you healing energy from our hearts as fellow Canadians. I was born in 1956 in Toronto to new immigrants from Austria Europe and as a teenager raised in Catholic Schools. I heard about residential schools but never knew what they truly were or how they operated. Today, reading about the travesty and horror inflicted on our FN families, especially the children, breaks my heart. I PROMISE as a Proud Canadian to stand with you, vote for change, read the Truth and Reconciliation Report and teach my children and grandchildren about it. I PROMISE to stand with you and demand from our governments to provide what our FN’s people need to have a good quality of life for their communities. You are all in my prayers for healing. I bow my head and ask for forgiveness for any part I may have played in not understanding your lives, for not knowing or turning a blind eye. May every Spirit finds its home my friends. Canada has you in our hearts. Saweyihtâkosiwin Heidi Kreiner-Ley, Ontario, Canada
Let me start by saying we can’t change the past but we have to acknowledge that it did happen and that we need to do much better moving forward. I say this because my sisters and I were born in the late 50’s me in 1958 and but for the grace of the creator this could have been our family. We could have been torn from our parents arms and put into any one of those residential schools, and that scares me.
I am so sorry, I am sorry for what my country has done to all of you, our beautiful first peoples. I am sorry for what the Catholic Church had to do with the breaking up of families and the rape of the children and killing of these precious children.
I apologize for taking your land and then writing history books about the amazing adventures discovering this new land and taking it for their own.
I am sorry that we pushed you out and left you with very little land and not the land that we wanted. I am sorry for the drinking water that we polluted and then expected you to drink. I’m sorry we brought our way of life to you when in fact you were living your best lives and had we accepted this way of life, Canada and the America’s would be much better off today.
I come to you now on bent knee and beg your forgiveness and I ask can we work together to try again and make our lives better together?
I say today that we must pass a bill in the governments that from this day forward that no matter what party we have in government in Canada and in all Provinces there must be an Indigenous elder with a main seat in charge. This elder will have complete veto rights in all land management matters moving forward. There will be an Indigenous elder in all provinces with the same seat and powers. No matter who we vote in when we have our elections there will first be that elder in his or her seat regardless of what we decide. I suggest that the Governor General will now be an Indigenous leader from now on voted in by your people.
We need to act now and get these people in place while we work on getting clean water to all of your communities.
We must find the remainder of the children that were killed or died in the schools and try to identify them and give them a burial and honour them.
Only when this is complete can we start again like we have just landed on your shores. Then we can start to live together with you learning your ways. Bringing back your language and culture to your children in your schools and community.
I need to stop now because I can go on forever with the way I want to see our country and the world run.
I am truly sorry and beg for your forgiveness and ask that you accept me into your family as a brother.
Nothing we say or do can change the past but it is up to everyone of us to acknowledge, accept and help heal the trauma through real reconciliation. All Canadians have benefited from the abuses heaped upon First Nation people and so we should pitch in and help do the work to heal. Stop defending the guilty and listen to the stories and champion the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We are all human beings and we should be looking out for each other. My hands are raised to everyone.
My heart is with Cowessess and all First Nations whose grief is tangible. I pray that you locate all of your dear children and answer the families’ questions about where they went. I pray that you bring your dear children home.
A Letter to the Chief
June 29, 2021
Cadmus Delorme
Cowessess First Nation
Cowessess, SK S0G 5L0
Sir;
I can not pretend to know and understand the pain and suffering the People have endured.
I can not pretend to understand the Spiritual ways of the People or how best to deal with the hurts you are trying to heal.
I wish it had never been the way it was. I wish the world as a whole were a better place.
For everybody.
My heart hurts for the families of the lost children and for the survivors. Old wounds torn open once more to bleed again. Generations lost for no good reason.
So I offer you the following prayer.
Perhaps it will help the healing that may now begin.
Perhaps it will allow the lost to find the path back to who they were and should have been.
Perhaps it will help the children return to the Ancestors
That is my hope. Freely given and meant with the best of intentions and care.
Sincerely,
Bev Schloendorf.
Children of the Plains,
Children of the Woodlands.
No words can express the pain
Of your loss.
You were the Hope and the Promise
Of you families,
Of your People.
So rudely were you taken.
So sadly were you missed.
So badly were you treated.
So much has been lost.
So many never returned.
So many futures broken.
However,
Those lost, were not forgotten
and are found.
Those broken can find healing.
Though the path is long
The Spirits of your People
Are still with you
To guide and protect you
As you make the journey.
The only way past the darkness
Is through.
To another day, a new beginning.
New hope. New strength.
The Ancestors wait at the end
Keyam.
I am sending all my love, thoughts and prayers to the victims and families of Cowessess. This discovery opens many wounds and I pray that there will be closure and justice for all families. The Cowessess children will never be forgotten.
My heart goes out to the families of these beautiful children 😭. This should never have happened , and I pray justice is served🙏🏽❤️
Sorry, is just not enough😢 I pray for these little souls to be in a better place where they hurt no longer and can run and play and be happy again. I pray that the people who harmed these little ones gets punished to the full extent! I am so very sad they ever had such places😡. Growing up, I had never heard of residential schools, and I am so sorry for the families that endured this. My heart goes out to you♥️♥️
Saint John, NB Canada our hearts bleed with yours. We stand with you, we mourn with you. Today and always.
Sending love and support to all of Cowesses First Nation. I also pray for healing and peace for the residential school survivors.
I am a journalist based in Canada. One of the news that affected me the most in my professional life, which broke my heart, was the children who lost their lives in these schools. While I was writing my news, I sometimes cried. I share the pain of the relatives of these children and of you as a society. What happened in Canada 100 years ago and what children in many parts of the world are experiencing today is simply cruelty. It all started the day we lost our love. What else can he love who does not love children, the greatest example of innocence?
The grief you are suffering is enormous. My heart now beats for the children who died for the survivors and for all Indigenous people who continue to suffer.
First my condolences to all the families across Canada impacted by residential schools past and present.
Second, I admire the leadership and strength of the elders, chiefs and communities.
Third, thank you for providing this page for me to post. I am not First Nations, but I am angry and hurt.
Forth, please continue to lead the change, tell us as Canadians how we can change, how we can do this together.
Fifth, I look forward to a future where my family and yours can look back and say we made a difference, our communities came together and have been healed.
Thank you for this opportunity to send a message of love. As many have stated, words seem inadequate to express the witnessing of grief, pain and utter tragedy that has just now come to light to the public, but has been held within your community for so long. I send sympathy, support and love to the children. To the mothers and fathers and families. To the survivors. To your community. May this time be for justice, healing and peace for each and every one … here now and gone. My sympathy and support. 💙
Grateful for the opportunity to send a message of remembrance to honour every life lost and affected by institutionalized racism. My sympathies especially go out to the families who were separated from their children, the extent of your grief is unimaginable. May their dear spirits and all the spirits of those affected by these human rights atrocities be lifted by the prayers, songs and dances of their Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations. Msit no’kmaq.
My heart breaks for all the children who were silenced in the most despicable way.
I’m sorry for the families. I’m sorry for the generations of suffering.
I pray justice is done for all those involved who had no regard for your culture,
I pray the children’s voices are now heard, and they can finally know that they were never forgotten. May they now rest i. Peace.
Justice must be down for all.
There aren’t adequate words, but to the people of Cowessess First Nation, and to all First Nations People, I send love, and wishes for healing.
I have to trust that from here the story will finally change. That each of your children will be searched for and found, and the momentum of this truth will hold until concrete change happens in our country.
I’m so sorry for what we’ve put you through from generations upon generations. I don’t know how any of it can possibly be undone, but I hope that by finding your children, there can be a start. I wish peace and healing for each of you.
My heart is broken at the news from Cowesses. I hope this will be a wake-up call for the church and the nation.
Time for truth. Time for justice.
I extend my love, empathy & strength to each & every one of you who have felt & continue to feel the affects of the deep trauma that’s been inflicted on your people. Your babies’, your adult’s & youth’s bodies deserve the dignity of headstones & proper care after their life on earth has ended. The continued systemic racism designed to keep Indigenous people ‘down’ is reprehensible & I commit to doing what I can in my capacity to challenge & change my own biases & those of others by learning & practicing empathy. Your people past & present deserve respect, dignity & love. I send my deepest respect to each of you I’m fortunate to know & those of you I hope to meet & know. All my love ❤️🖤💛🤍
My deepest condolences to all the families going threw this and community of cowessess First Nation and my cousin & his family this is so heart breaking 🥺 fly home little ones 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
I am truly sorry that children had to go through this trauma and that families were left torn apart or uncertain of the whereabouts of their young ones. From my heart I hope the community is able to find peace and that the wounds that remain can now begin to heal with new answers forthcoming.
Sending active support, love and prayers to the community of Cowessess First Nation, and everyone affected by residential schools 🧡 we see you, you are valued, and we support you. I will continue to stand alongside you in seeking such deserved justice, and being an active ally.
My words to express how I feel about this tragedy are hard to come. It is only recently that I found out my grandson is a dependent of Cowessess, I feel blessed he will not have to face this terrible system know as Residential Schools. May the families begin healing and may the government ensure change happens to support the healing. 🧡🧡🧡
My heart breaks for the community of Cowessess First Nation. I’m sending prayers for the survivors, families and the people of Cowessess.
My thoughts and prayers for all those precious children. May they journey peacefully to the other side. Also prayers for everyone affected by these atrocities. 🧡🧡🧡