Tony Williams places a teddy bear on the monument (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

SEVERED TIES

Indigenous Foundation returns $500,000 donation to Sisters of Saint Ann

Jun 28, 2022 | 4:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — Using the former Kamloops Indian Residential School as a backdrop, the Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation has announced it has severed ties with the Sisters of Saint Ann. The foundation which addresses the under-representation of First Nations, Metis and Inuit students at Canadian universities returned a large contribution after conducting an investigation into the Catholic organization.

Following the confirmation of the 215 unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, and similar announcements across Canada, the Verna J. Kirkness Foundation began an investigation. The result, returning half a million dollars to the Sisters of Saint Ann.

“We found that the Sisters of Saint Ann, which had been a donor to our foundation, had worked here, they were teachers here. There was a very direct involvement between our foundation, this site, and the Sisters of Saint Ann,” said Tony C. L. Williams, Chair of the Foundations Board of Directors.

While the foundation has no say in where the money goes, it hopes it will be used to fulfill other promises made to Indigenous peoples. There is also hope that this could again spur reconciliation.

Two and Out

PETERS: Business owners shouldn't be held responsible for nuisance calls

13h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: November 14, 2024

14h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: What is the difference between a food policy council and frontline services?

19h ago

“At the very least our books needed to be free and clear of the relationship with the church. At the very most, it would be nice if the church took a good hard look at the true impact that they made on our people,” said Board Member Dede DeRose.

“The apology needs to be, I think, about recognizing what has happened. It never was appropriate. There was harm to individual people. There are artifacts that need to be returned. There is a lot of things. We listen to a lot of IIndigenous leaders and take our cue from there,” added Williams.

Half a million dollars is a big hole in the books of the foundation, but they pledged to continue working to support Indigenous students across Canada with or without the Sisters’ funding.

“We were working hard toward it when the Sisters of Saint Ann donated $500,000 to our board. And we will work just as hard if not harder to make sure the opportunities are still there,” said DeRose.

A single word was top of mind for DeRose following the announcement Tuesday morning (June 28), a word she hopes will allow the foundation to continue moving forward to help Indigenous youth reach their full potential.

“Our books are now clear of any relationship with the Sisters of Saint Ann and that brings a lot of relief to our board,” stated DeRose.

Ed. note: The Sisters of St. Ann have responded to this story here.