Flags at Grande Prairie City Hall as well as all municipal facilities in the city, County of Grande Prairie and Town of Sexsmith have been lowered to half mast in memory of those lost while attending residential schools in Canada (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff)

By Shaun Penner

In Mourning and reflection

Grande Prairie area municipalities lower flags to half mast in remembrance of 215 children discovered in Kamloops

May 31, 2021 | 1:16 PM

Flags at Grande Prairie City Hall and other municipal facilities will fly at half mast over the next week.

The action comes in response to the discovery late last week of the remains of 215 children contained in a mass, unmarked gravesite at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

READ MORE: Bodies of 215 children buried at former Kamloops Indian Residential School site

Many municipalities, including the County of Grande Prairie, the Town of Sexsmith and Town of Wembley, and other orders of government have committed to lowering flags for 215 hours.

In a statement, Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton says the city enters a time of reflection and mourning following the grisly discovery.

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“Our hearts are with our Indigenous, First Nations, and Metis community in the wake of the discovery of 215 children lost at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.”

Students in the Grande Prairie Public and Catholic School Division were also encouraged Monday to wear orange Monday — as is done each September for Orange Shirt Day — to promote awareness about the history of residential schools and the impact they continue to have on generations of people.

Also Monday, the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre is honouring the children who died attending Canada’s Residential Schools with a candle light vigil, which will open with prayers outside City Hall at 8 p.m.

READ MORE: Candlelight vigil, wearing orange to school planned to honour victims of residential schools

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide 24/7 support to residential school survivors and others who are affected. Call 1 (866) 925-4419.