Miywasin hosting remembrance ceremony at Saamis Tepee on Thursday

By Medicine Hat News on June 2, 2021.

The city’s Indigenous friendship centre will be hosting a remembrance ceremony Thursday after the discovery of remains of an estimated 215 children at the site of a Kamloops residential school.

Flags are currently sitting at half-staff in recognition at Medicine Hat city hall with the Miywasin Centre’s Brenda Mercer saying the Saamis Tepee will be lit orange in remembrance of those who attended residential schools.

Mercer says the centre is currently collecting 215 pairs of children’s shoes placed at the Tepee on Thursday.

There will be an opportunity for the Medicine Hat public to leave comments about the tragedy from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, with a special ceremony being held at 7 p.m.

Those interested in donating children’s shoes that will be part of the remembrance can do so by contacting the Miywasin Centre at 403-526-0756.