Trudeau previously visited Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on Oct. 18, 2021, five months after confirmation of potential burial sites on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School (CFJC Today/File photo).
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Trudeau to visit Williams Lake First Nation after detection of potential burial sites at St. Joseph’s Mission

Mar 28, 2022 | 11:05 AM

Support services are in place for residential school survivors and their families here.

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will visit Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) this week.

In a news release Monday (March 28) morning, WLFN Chief Willie Sellars and council announced that Trudeau’s visit follows its announcement on Jan. 25, 2022, where it was unveiled that at least 93 potential burials had been detected at the site of the former St. Joseph’s Mission residential school.

“We’re thankful that the Prime Minister is making the time to visit Williams Lake First Nation,” Sellars says. “This trip has been a long time in the making, and we have much to discuss about the St. Joseph’s Mission investigation, the Government of Canada’s role in residential school investigations, and Canada’s commitment to the goals of Reconciliation. We are honored to welcome the Prime Minister to Secwepemculecw and look forward to productive conversation. At the same time, we would like to remind the public to respect the 93 reflections that were reported on Jan. 25, and to respect the families and communities during this time”.

While Trudeau is expected to visit this week, a specific date, location, and time of his visit haven’t been revealed.

Trudeau previously visited Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc on Oct. 18, 2021, five months after the ground-penetrating radar confirmation of 215 potential burial sites on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.