In solidarity with the Indigenous communities across Turtle Island (aka North America) in response to the discovery of unmarked graves of 215 Indigenous Children at Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, Canada. 

We recognize Indian Residential Schools, Day Schools, and the Sixties Scoop as a genocidal practice. 

It is traumatizing to learn about the unmarked graves on the sites of former residential schools. We, as a community, have created this space to remember all the children who were denied more than the respect of a proper burial. Still, they were denied love, family, justice, and basic human dignity. 

Orange is the color the Indigenous community decided would be the color of remembrance for these events. Many people in Canada wear orange t-shirts to commemorate the lost children and show their sorrow. Orange ribbons have been tied on fences and trees around churches and public buildings. All over Canada, where these Residential Schools were and where the elders have told us graves can be found, unmarked graves have been found in great numbers. Verified numbers have passed a thousand, and authorities are sure the number will be in the thousands when they finish their work. The mishandling of these gravesites is a crime in Canada, and the sorrow is widespread and very real. 

We have chosen to educate and show our solidarity by placing these little rocks. It is a symbolic gesture to give these children a marker. We are inviting the community to recognize the dignity of a child by painting a rock to mark their life. 

This project will be shared on social media so that the Indigenous people of Canada know that this community knows about and cares about their situation. 

All My Relations,

Anna-Celestrya Carr