snpinktn (Penticton), Syilx Territory — September 30, 2024
On a sunny Monday of reflection and healing, approximately 500 participants including the Syilx survivors, elders, nation members, local leaders, and allies gathered in snpinktn, Penticton to commemorate the children who never returned home from Indian residential schools and celebrated the resilience of survivors and their families on Truth and Reconciliation Day with a respective 2 km walk.
Participants of all ages wore orange shirts as they walked together toward the Syilx Indian Residential School monument, known as kʷu səckm̓antaʔx iʔ scəcmalaʔtət k̓l citxʷtət, meaning “Bringing Our Kids Home” created by the late ‘Smoker’ Virgil Marchand, the monument stands in front of the Okanagan Nation Alliance kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ Hatchery, serving as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of residential schools on the Syilx community.
Syilx elder and survivor Sarah McLeod shared her harrowing experience of being sent to the Kamloops Indian Residential School, where she stayed for eight and a half years. “When it was time for us to go home, we had to travel in a cattle truck, surrounded by the smell of cows and horses. Now, I feel sad thinking about what happened to us in that residential school,” she reflected. The monument serves as a landmark for the children who were returned in cattle cars after enduring horrific experiences at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Others spoke about the intergenerational trauma their families have experienced due to the Kamloops Indian Residential School. smúkʷaʔxn, Inez Pierre expressed frustration over the lack of investigation into the buried children who never returned home. “We always knew there were buried children because our elders don’t lie. The survivors told the truth. In our language, there is no word for lie. There is no word for ‘I’m sorry.’ That’s not in our nsyilxcən language,” she said.
The walk’s destination of the Syilx Indian Residential School monument, is intentionally located near the kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓ hatchery, which translates to “to cause to come back.” This proximity resonates deeply with the community’s ongoing journey of healing and restoration, akin to the revival of salmon populations in the region. The textured concrete wall of the monument features storyboards that recount the harrowing history of residential schools and the strength of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, adorned with imagery of bears and salmon, symbolizing protection and hope for future generations.
This year’s theme, niʔʕayp kus alaʔx, meaning “We Have Always Been Here,” underscores the enduring presence and resilience of the Syilx people. In a moving address, local leaders emphasized the importance of remembering those who have suffered. Chief Greg Gabriel of the Penticton Indian Band welcomed the elders and survivors in attendance, noting, “Make no mistake, we are still experiencing intergenerational trauma as a result of residential school history. Your support and honor today help guide us on our path toward reconciliation.”
The walk served not only as a tribute but also as a commitment to educating future generations about the realities of the residential school experience, ensuring that truth is recognized as we move forward on the path toward healing. As participants left the event, they carried with them the stories shared, the lessons learned, and a renewed determination to support Indigenous peoples and their ongoing journey toward justice. Together, everyone embraced the understanding that while challenges remain, collective efforts to acknowledge truth and foster healing are vital for future generations.