In the wake of the discovery of the bodies of at least 215 children in an unmarked grave on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, Kelowna city council began its Monday (May 31) meeting with a moment of silence.

Following the silence, Mayor Colin Basran tabled a motion, which received unanimous support from his council colleagues. It read: 91裸聊视频淭hat council direct staff to provide council with an information report on the status on any actions or plans the City of Kelowna is undertaking or can be advancing with respect to truth and reconciliation with our local First Nations.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淒uring a week where we felt the grief of losing three young people in our community in a car accident, then to learn about the discovery of 215 children in a mass grave 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 almost unbearable,91裸聊视频� said Basran, referencing the death of three Kelowna Secondary School students in a car crash on May 26.

Coun. Loyal Wooldridge reiterated his support for the mayor91裸聊视频檚 motion and acknowledged that 91裸聊视频淲e operate in a colonialized system.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淲hat we all have to remember as we move through reconciliation as settlers is that we need to commit to action 91裸聊视频� not just words and statements,91裸聊视频� he said.

Coun. Gail Given echoed Wooldridge91裸聊视频檚 sentiment, saying she couldn91裸聊视频檛 imagine the pain of the reopened wounds the local Syilx community experienced.

91裸聊视频淵ou can say you91裸聊视频檙e grieving and you91裸聊视频檙e sad and send your sympathies, but really, if this isn91裸聊视频檛 a call to action, I don91裸聊视频檛 know what is.91裸聊视频�

Westbank First Nation issued a statement on the tragedy Monday, offering its grief and condolences.

91裸聊视频淭o our members, community members, staff members, and all those whose pain has been triggered by this horrendous act, please know that we stand with you,91裸聊视频� said WFN.

91裸聊视频淔rom what was shared, there are many more communities that have members who attended Kamloops Indian Residential School and, in acknowledgement, council stands in support of all communities affected by this tragic uncovering of truths which we as Indigenous people have known and felt for generations.91裸聊视频�

Indigenous children from many Interior B.C. communities were sent to the Kamloops Indian Residential School, the largest school in Canada91裸聊视频檚 Indian Affairs residential school system, where the Tk91裸聊视频檈mlups te Secw茅pemc First Nation confirmed the discovery last Thursday (May 27). Chief Rosanne Casimir called it an 91裸聊视频渦nthinkable loss that was spoken about, but never documented.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淲e had a knowing in our community that we were able to verify. To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths,91裸聊视频� Casimir said. 91裸聊视频淪ome were as young as three years old. We sought out a way to confirm that knowing out of deepest respect and love for those lost children and their families, understanding that Tk91裸聊视频檈ml煤ps te Secwe虂pemc is the final resting place of these children.91裸聊视频�

The RCMP is working with Tk91裸聊视频檈ml煤ps te Secw茅pemc community leaders in determining the next steps and the best way to be involved, while at the same time being supportive, respectful and culturally sensitive to the Indigenous communities that are impacted.

91裸聊视频� With files from Kamloops This Week

READ MORE: Kelowna flags at half-mast after discovery of Kamloops residential school burial site

READ MORE: B.C. premier 91裸聊视频榟orrified91裸聊视频� at discovery of remains at Kamloops residential school site

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on and follow us on .