Impromptu healing encounters unfold outside Chilliwack church

More than 100 pairs of shoes delivered a stark symbol of loss as they lined the entrance of St. Mary’s Parish in Chilliwack May 30.

The rows of shoes were placed honour of the 215 people whose remains were found in an unmarked grave outside a former residential school in Kamloops. As members of the community stopped by the vigil throughout the day, a St. Mary’s parishioner was so moved that she entered the site, removed her own shoes, and added them to the display.

She left barefoot.

It’s that kind of humility and compassion that will lead to true reconciliation, said assistant pastor Father Juan Lucca.

The next day, he encountered a different type of demonstration setting up outside the church doors. About 20 people had arrived and many more appeared to be on their way. Uncertain who they were or what they were doing, Father Lucca approached them to ask.

He learned a First Nations group planned on setting up to play drums, dance, and give speeches in honour of children who had died while attending Residential Schools and those who had survived. 

So Father Lucca offered to help with their microphone and speaker setup, then opened the church’s washrooms for their use. He remained with the crowd of nearly 100 people to hear what they had to say.

“The speeches were very moving. There was a lot of sadness and anger, but not driven to individuals. They wanted to be heard, and they were happy that there were people to listen,” said Father Lucca.

“I apologized on behalf of the Church for each and every evil that was committed against them,” he said.

Father Lucca then approached “each and every survivor that was present,” and told them, “sorry and thank you for being there, for persevering, not giving up, and sharing your story.”

In response, the speakers and dancers thanked him and the parishioners and others who were present, calling them “allies.”

One young woman wearing a traditional dress took the microphone to share how her grandmother died as a result of experiences she faced in a Residential School.

“We’re not angry at anybody in particular. Even God, or even the institution itself,” she said. “What happened back then, those were people that did those bad things. That was not God. It was not the Creator.”

She said money and politics will not fix the problem. Instead, she encouraged First Nations people present to work at the grassroots level by embracing their culture, including music, dancing, and values, and by collaborating with people who seek reconciliation.

“With all of you that came, even the ones that are standing by your cars on the outskirts of your circles, we see you. We know that we have allies now in the non-Native community. We know that you support us by coming here today and we thank you. We can’t do this without your support. Stand with us! Stand with us please,” she said.

“We can’t hate the people that are trying to do the good work now. Father [Lucca], we are welcoming you to the circle. We don’t blame you as a person, but these are atrocities that have to be brought to light. They have to be brought to the surface. We have to cry these tears. We have to acknowledge it and we have to do better.”

Another speaker at the impromptu rally suggested the discovery of 215 bodies was only the “tip of the iceberg,” and said emotions are raw for many members of the community right now.

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