The Council of Ontario Universities joins our member universities in acknowledging the devastating loss of 215 children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, and the profound impact this has on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nations, broader Indigenous communities and the Indigenous students, faculty and staff on our campuses.

This news is a stark reminder of the horrific devastation and generational trauma caused by the residential school system that exists today among Indigenous communities, residential school survivors and the families of those who never returned home.

COU and its member universities remain steadfast in their commitment to addressing the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and working to redress this lasting impact through awareness and action. We know there is much work to be done.

For students, faculty and staff who need support during this time, our members are providing campus-specific resources and supports on their individual websites.

For 24-hour crisis support, the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former residential school students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the national crisis line at 1-866 925-4419.