In Remembrance of 215 Victims Discovered At Former Indigenous Residential School In Canada
Moment of silence also observed at 2:15 p.m. at Seneca Niagara, Seneca Allegany and Seneca Buffalo Creek resorts
NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK – BUFFALO, NEW YORK – SALAMANCA, NEW YORK: (June 2, 2021) In an effort to honor the victims and highlight the terror faced by generations of Indigenous children at residential schools across the United States and Canada, Seneca Gaming Corporation is observing an Orange Shirt Day at its three casino properties today, Thursday, June 3.
On Thursday, May 27, it was confirmed that the remains of 215 children were discovered buried at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, Canada. The school was once Canada’s largest Indigenous residential school. Thousands of Indigenous children are known to have died at residential schools across the United States and Canada. It is believed that the deaths of hundreds – if not thousands – were never documented.
“The Kamloops discovery is another gruesome reminder of the treatment and terror generations of Indigenous people suffered at the hands of foreign settlers on our own lands,” said Seneca Nation President Matthew Pagels. “Residential schools were established in an attempt to erase Indigenous people, our culture and our very existence from our own lands. Taking children away from their families and trying to wipe away our native language and our very identity, often by force and violence, is a hate crime that can never and should never be forgotten. There are many Native people around the world, including many Senecas, who still carry the scars and terror of those days. Discoveries like the one at the Kamloops site re-open those wounds.”
In addition to encouraging employees and guests to wear orange throughout the day, Seneca Gaming Corporation observed a moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, in honor of the 215 victims whose remains were discovered at the Kamloops site.
“We want to stand in solidarity with the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation as they deal with this most recent discovery, and with everyone across Indian Country who has been impacted by the hate, mistreatment and terror perpetuated by the residential schools,” said Seneca Gaming Corporation President & CEO Kevin Nephew. “The children whose bodies were discovered last week, their families, all Indigenous people who have been the victims of violence and abuse, and those who remain missing today must never be forgotten.”
Each year, Canada observes Orange Shirt Day on September 30 as a way to educate and promote awareness of the impact Indigenous residential schools had on Indigenous people and communities. The commemorative event began in 2013.
