Photos by Mary Putnam
www.maryputnam.ca

In May of 2021 the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc confirmed their truth at the unmarked grave sites of 215 children.

Four days ago, the Williams Lake First Nation confirmed their truth at the unmarked grave sites of 93 children.

In the 8 months between May and today, conversation has faded. However, that conversation has not ended. 

As indigenous people we acknowledge a shift in the desire of non indigenous people to recognize our truth and accept it as their own. 

We do not fault you….. or cast blame upon you for the injustices of the past. We ask only that you support our truth… and in doing so, walk with us as we attempt to reconcile those injustices. 

I am a proud First Nations man. I am equally proud to know this group of men. 

From May of 2021 you have chosen to initiate and continue conversation on this topic. 

You’ve chosen truth in its collective form. You’ve chosen education….. and in doing so have chosen reconciliation. 

The jersey you wear today embodies all that we as Indigenous people have asked for. Because of those jerseys, conversation will not fade….. our truths will be shared…. our truths will be singular….. and hopefully as we move forward together ……    Every Child Will Matter. 

When I began I neglected to acknowledge that we finds ourselves on the Traditional Territory of the Secwepemc People and more specifically the shared Territories of the Adams Lake and Little Shuswap Lake Indian Bands. 

Gents, the Bigsorrelhorse family will honour you and the jerseys in song.