Children from four to 16 years of age attended Residential Schools between the 1870s and the 1900s, with the last school closing in 1996. The schools were an attempt by the Canadian Government to remove Indigenous children from their families and in effort to suppress Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality.
Earlier this week, on September 27, 2021, we were honoured to be joined by Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow and members of the community on the traditional, unceded territory of the Musqueam people for a gathering outside our international terminal. We came together to acknowledge, learn and reflect on truth and reconciliation and collectively held a moment of silence to commemorate survivors of Residential Schools, the children who didn’t come home, their families and communities.
nǝcaʔmat tǝ šxʷqʷelǝwǝn ct means “we are of one heart and mind” in the language spoken by Musqueam. The path to reconciliation is one we are all on together. Before there can be reconciliation there must be truth. We support our Indigenous partners and our greater community as it grapples with this dark truth in our nation’s history.
To continue to bring awareness and show support the control tower will be lit orange each night until October 4. As our country continues to mourn the discoveries of unmarked graves, our flags remain at half-mast.
We are committed to continuing to share resources and identify ways to strengthen our work and partnership with Musqueam.
About the Musqueam-YVR Friendship Agreement
The Musqueam Indian Band-YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement is a 30-year partnership based on friendship and respect to achieve a sustainable and mutually beneficial future for the community and the lands on which we operate. Among other things, the agreement includes scholarships, employment opportunities and protection of archaeological resources. Learn more:yvr.ca/musqueam.