Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen issued the following statement today:
To mourn the 215 children whose lives were taken at the former Kamloops residential school we are flying our flags at half-mast. This is a departure from our Flag Protocol, but this is a time to take extra steps to grieve for all Indigenous children who never made it back to their homes and use this tragic reminder to encourage all Canadians to take time to remember. We honour the survivors and their families.
For people in our community who are feeling deep pain due to this news, please call the National Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
For others who would like to learn more about Indigenous peoples in this region, and to explore resources such as recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, visit https://banff.ca/1103/Indigenous-Peoples