Brock Fraser is starting his fundraising run for residential school survivors on Monday, June 7 (Image Credit: Brock Fraser)

By Chad Klassen

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

Kamloops man raising money to support Indigenous families devastated by residential schools

Jun 2, 2021 | 11:59 AM

KAMLOOPS — Brock Fraser says a few aches and pains from running 20 kilometres a day will pale in comparison to the torture endured by children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Fraser has organized Brock’s 215km for 215 Children Run & Fundraiser — with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, a non-profit organization who provide services to residential school survivors.

“I just wanted to show and say, ‘Hey, I’m going to go out and I feel like some sore legs for a few days is going to be a pretty minimal sacrifice compared to the price that these families and children paid in the past,'” noted Fraser, who lives in Kamloops but is from Lillooet.

When Fraser heard the news of 215 children being found near the former Kamloops residential school, he says it hit him like hard and he couldn’t just sit and do nothing.

“After waves of emotions, trying to process what happened, I realized that I needed to do something, but figured at the same time, ‘What can I do to help?’ How do you support the people of today for hardships of the past?” he said. “I went online and came across the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. They’re a provincial organization that provides counselling, health and cultural support services to residential school survivors. I figured I could use my running as a driver to get myself out to show support.”

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He added, “Anyone nowadays can make a Facebook post and send their thoughts and prayers, but I wanted to show the survivors that I care and I’m willing to do something more, anything in my power to support them through this devastating time.”

Starting this Monday (June 7), he will run between 15 and 35 kilometres a day, starting and ending his runs at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

He officially launched the fundraiser on Monday (May 31) with a goal of $500, but he says the community support has been overwhelming. Donations have been pouring in and have reached $8,500 in the span of two days.

“I initially set it at $500 and after two donations we were there already,” said Fraser, “so I bumped it to $1,000, not knowing the power of social media was going to work so quickly.”

Fraser says he’s also hoping he can raise awareness and encourage more people to educate themselves about the atrocities that happened to the children. Even growing up in Lillooet, surrounded by First Nations bands and people, he admits he and many others did not learn about residential schools during their time in public school.

“I’m hoping to raise awareness about how the children were treated by the church, the federal government and monarchy,” he said. “Honestly, I’ve had conversations with people that I never would’ve anticipated having these conversations with. They just say they had no idea that this existed, they didn’t know the extent of it if they did know it existed, and basically just learning and listening and understanding what has gone on.”

Fraser intends to finish the 215 kilometres within a two-week period, and while he initially thought he would be running on his own, others have stepped forward wanting to join him.

“In the fundraiser, I said that company is welcome and I’ve had an overwhelming response of friends, family, and honestly complete strangers that are hoping to join up with me to run or bike portions or the whole thing with me,” said Fraser. “I’ve actually got a complete stranger coming from Kelowna. He was inspired by the story and wants to join me, and I’ve got family that’s going to be at the start on Monday when I take it off.”

It’ll be an emotional moment for Fraser and others on Monday evening, as he begins his journey to support Indigenous families devastated by the former residential schools.

For more information or to donate, visit this page.