Residential schools operated under the direct supervision of churches from varied denominations of Christianity operating for over 160 years, with the last one closing in 1997. Children who attended did not do so voluntarily. Children were removed from their homes as young as 3 years old, and many children never returned to their homes. The express purpose of the school was to remove Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis children from the care of their families and to strip them of cultural knowledge and cultural pride. The impacts of Residential schools are observed over multiple generations and the Residential school system contributed massively to the disenfranchisement of Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis peoples. 

In the wake of the discovery of the buried remains of 215 children on the grounds of a Kamloops Residential School, people are asking for justice louder than ever. People are asking for the search and excavation of all residential school grounds.

Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis peoples have been asking after their loved ones for generations. Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis peoples deserve justice and the bodies of their loved ones should be returned to them for their families to grieve and honour. 

Presbyterian, Anglican, and United church have apologized for the harm done but this is not enough. These churches owe reparations to Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis peoples. The Catholic church has not yet apologized, despite requests from members of the Canadian government and Canadian citizens. This church owes reparations to Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis peoples.

An apology without action is not an apology, and the aforementioned churches must accept financial responsibility for the search and excavation of all Residential school properties. This is a necessary piece for fostering peace.

By signing this petition you are supporting Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis communities in their efforts to find justice, and you're acknowledging the harm done to these communities by the churches. Let signing this petition be just one act of many that supports the healing process for Canadian Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis Peoples.