Yesterday, May 23rd, was the two-year anniversary of the announcement that 215 unmarked graves had been found at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. To mark this painful day, we are sharing a short animation created by Taj Mihelich and narrated by Chelsie McCutcheon for our Return to Earth episode “The Healer”. We are sharing this very brief summary of the Residential School system in the hopes that it will bring more awareness within the mountain bike world of its continued impact on First Nations communities. We still understand very little. But we are trying to learn more and have been lucky enough to meet some amazing teachers. Thanks to everyone who has shared their stories and experiences with us so far, especially: Jay Bearhead, Tom Eustache, Skylar Camille, Charli Fortier, Chief Helen Henderson, Tina Donald, Jules Philip, Arnold Baptist, Patrick Lucas and Thomas Schoen.
“Being at the Kamloops Residential school on The Day Of Truth of Reconciliation last year was a powerful experience that I’ll never forget. To be there, surrounded by so many amazing indigenous people, I was moved by how kind and open hearted everyone was despite the pain and trauma that had been inflicted upon them.”
All photography by Mason Mashon @mason_mashon
“The experience I had visiting Simpcw Nation near Kamloops was such a surreal one, realizing for myself the vast implications of colonization and the beautiful culture that is still here and growing. After my journey learning and witnessing indigenous youth learning in outdoor classrooms and older indigenous people reconnecting to their land by bike and walking trails was amazing! The people were so inspiring!
I had just returned home when the news of the 215 unmarked graves broke. I had the names and faces of the people I’d just met a few days before to really make the news hit home for me. It is something I will never forget.
There is so much to understand, so much to learn, and so much to give back. We are all just starting the path to reconciliation.”
“Growing up in the UK, I had never heard about the residential schools. Editing the Patrick Lucas’ Return to Earth “The Series” Season 2 episode was a hugely educational experience for me and has opened my eyes to a very important and unspoken part of Canadian history.
Visual storytelling is such a powerful tool to educate people worldwide on subjects they might not be exposed to. I feel honoured to be part of telling such an important story that has only just begun to be revealed.”
As individuals and as a business, we are committed to learning and acknowledging the people whose lands we are privileged to play on.
The Ants