Statement on Kamloops residential school discovery

From the founders of InceptionU

On behalf of the team at InceptionU, we could not remain quiet about the recent discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC. 

This is an unthinkable loss and we are deeply disturbed, as are many Canadians, about this dark stain on Canada’s conscience. The residential school system continues to be a painful reality for First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. It should be a painful reality for all of us. It is a civilization-level failure.

At InceptionU, we value diversity of thought, experience and culture - we know that our educational community is richer thanks to many different voices. Over the coming days, we will be taking time out to honour these lost children, discuss this atrocity and further commit to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment. A key cornerstone of our program is equipping learners with essential skills in ethical, collaborative and critical thinking. We know that if these skills are more broadly distributed in our society, it can help avoid similar tragedies now and in the future.

We will not forget these children or the many others, both known and unknown, who’ve been victims of this catastrophe. We must continue to uncover this painful history. We must acknowledge that this is not ancient history that allows us to absolve ourselves of making necessary change in the present. We must move beyond words and into action. We must do better. 

Greg Hart, Margo Purcell, Jill Langer and the InceptionU team

#everychildmatters