Latest news with #DayofReflection
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- General
- Edmonton Journal
Almost two-thirds of Canadians say more evidence needed to accept 'unmarked graves' report in Kamloops
It's been over four years since news broke of a potentially shocking find in the grounds of what was once the largest residential school in Canada, in Kamloops, B.C. Article content Ground-penetrating radar revealed soil 'anomalies' that might — or might not — be graves. Despite the uncertainty, media organizations and members of the public started referring to the anomalies as the graves of children. To date, no human remains have been confirmed or exhumed, and the suspected anomalies remain unverified. Article content Article content Now a new survey from Angus Reid finds that a majority of Canadians, both Indigenous and not, are unwilling to accept that the anomalies are the graves of children without further evidence. Article content Article content Survey participants were given the following question: 'The Kamloops band's claim of 215 unmarked graves of children was later revised to about 200 'anomalies' and suspected burial sites. The federal government has given $12.1 million in funding to assist in investigating this issue. To date, no additional reports have been made public. What is closer to your view?' Article content Sixty-three per cent of respondents chose: 'People should only accept the claim that this is evidence of unmarked children's graves if further information is publicly available to verify it through excavation.' The remaining 37 per cent agreed with: 'People should accept the claim that this is evidence of unmarked children's graves, even if no further information is publicly offered.' Article content Article content Regionally, the number of people who thought more information was needed varied from 55 per cent in Quebec to 75 per cent in Manitoba. Article content Article content The survey also asked respondents to identify themselves as Indigenous or non-Indigenous. When the Indigenous responses were tabulated, a slightly higher number (44 per cent) thought people should accept that the anomalies are unmarked children's graves. But most (56 per cent) thought more information was needed to verify the claim. Article content The Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation first published the explosive news in May of 2021, stating: 'This past weekend, with the help of a ground penetrating radar specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light — the confirmation of the remains of 215 children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.' Article content The news touched off a prolonged period of public outrage and an unprecedented wave of arsons targeting predominantly Indigenous churches. That summer, more than 60 Canadian churches would be destroyed, desecrated or vandalized. But by last summer the language had been toned down considerably, with a Day of Reflection statement from the First Nation noting: 'With the help of a ground penetrating radar specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light — the confirmation of 215 anomalies were detected.'
Ottawa Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Almost two-thirds of Canadians say more evidence needed to accept 'unmarked graves' report in Kamloops
It's been over four years since news broke of a potentially shocking find in the grounds of what was once the largest residential school in Canada, in Kamloops, B.C. Article content Ground-penetrating radar revealed soil 'anomalies' that might — or might not — be graves. Despite the uncertainty, media organizations and members of the public started referring to the anomalies as the graves of children. To date, no human remains have been confirmed or exhumed, and the suspected anomalies remain unverified. Article content Article content Article content Now a new survey from Angus Reid finds that a majority of Canadians, both Indigenous and not, are unwilling to accept that the anomalies are the graves of children without further evidence. Article content Article content Survey participants were given the following question: 'The Kamloops band's claim of 215 unmarked graves of children was later revised to about 200 'anomalies' and suspected burial sites. The federal government has given $12.1 million in funding to assist in investigating this issue. To date, no additional reports have been made public. What is closer to your view?' Article content Sixty-three per cent of respondents chose: 'People should only accept the claim that this is evidence of unmarked children's graves if further information is publicly available to verify it through excavation.' The remaining 37 per cent agreed with: 'People should accept the claim that this is evidence of unmarked children's graves, even if no further information is publicly offered.' Article content Article content Regionally, the number of people who thought more information was needed varied from 55 per cent in Quebec to 75 per cent in Manitoba. Article content Article content The survey also asked respondents to identify themselves as Indigenous or non-Indigenous. When the Indigenous responses were tabulated, a slightly higher number (44 per cent) thought people should accept that the anomalies are unmarked children's graves. But most (56 per cent) thought more information was needed to verify the claim. Article content The Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation first published the explosive news in May of 2021, stating: 'This past weekend, with the help of a ground penetrating radar specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light — the confirmation of the remains of 215 children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.' Article content The news touched off a prolonged period of public outrage and an unprecedented wave of arsons targeting predominantly Indigenous churches. That summer, more than 60 Canadian churches would be destroyed, desecrated or vandalized. But by last summer the language had been toned down considerably, with a Day of Reflection statement from the First Nation noting: 'With the help of a ground penetrating radar specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light — the confirmation of 215 anomalies were detected.'
Irish Post
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Post
Belfast landmark will be lit yellow for annual Troubles reflection day
BELFAST City Hall will open its doors to the public this month as a dedicated space to reflect on the Troubles period. The fourth annual Day of Reflection will take place on Saturday, June 21. Local councillors previously agreed that the initiative would be held annually, providing an 'opportunity for people and communities across the city to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain caused by the conflict in and about Northern Ireland'. During the day visitors can call in from 2pm to 4pm, to engage in quiet reflection, listen to a selection of poetry and prose readings and speak to representatives from a range of support organisations. Belfast City Hall will host the Day of Reflection this month There will be a screening of a short film by local organisation Healing Through Remembering at 2pm. Those who visit can also share their hopes for the future by adding a leaf, with a personal message, to a 'Thought Tree', throughout the afternoon. 'As a council, we will once again participate in this year's Day of Reflection and offer a space in City Hall for this to take place,' party group leaders on Belfast City Council said in a joint statement. The venue will be lit yellow for the evening 'We acknowledge that many people throughout the city suffered deeply as a result of the conflict. "As civic leaders, we hope that by hosting this annual event and providing a quiet, safe space, it will give people an opportunity to reflect and remember in a way which is personal to them.' City Hall will be lit in yellow that evening, as a mark of respect to the lives lost to the conflict in Northern Ireland, it was confirmed this week. See More: Belfast City Hall, Day Of Reflection, Troubles
The Herald Scotland
01-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
New Perthshire Covid memorial hoped to spark reflection
Finlay told The Herald about his vision for the new memorial, which drew on the folly tradition that can be seen throughout Highland Perthshire. He pointed to sites like The Hermitage near Dunkeld as key sources of inspiration. 'Follies', which are ornamental structures which have been designed to evoke historical buildings or scenic landscapes, were common in the 18th and 19th centuries at estates across the UK. 'In one way I thought I was done with Covid, but then I met the team planning the memorial in Perthshire', Finlay said. 'There's a proud tradition of capturing these scenic Highland themes on 'follies', of seeing the wild as beautiful. 'This inspired me to make a contemporary response to the Perthshire tradition. I wanted to create a space that doesn't insist on the event of Covid, but encourages people to reflect and remember.' The 'folly' tradition inspired Finlay's work. (Image: Alec Finlay) The memorial consists of a series of trellises which are designed to evoke five mountain skylines: Schiehallion, Farragon Hill, Meall Tairneachan, Ben Vrackie, and Beinn a' Ghlò. Finlay told The Herald: 'It's a space for people affected by Covid, and it also reflects how the past of Castle Menzies is being renewed. Through our work, we were able to enlarge an existing historical garden and give it a new sense of purpose.' 'The artwork itself is made of larch, which is the most well-known type of tree in Highland Perthshire.' More on Covid-19 remembrance COVID-19 'Day of Reflection' to be held to mark five years since pandemic Five lives, five years: How Covid changed Scotland forever "Robert Carlyle broke down. I did too." Alec Finlay on making Scotland's Covid Memorial How Scotland's Covid Memorial is beginning to help heal Originally built in the 1500s, Castle Menzies was restored by the Menzies Clan Society during the 20th century. As part of the installation, five cherry trees were planted on the grounds of the castle, the first step in restoring a historic orchard which was planted on the site. While the site has been open since last summer, Finlay wanted to take time to celebrate the community behind the memorial. A small ceremony was held on the 18th of May at the castle. 'We collected memories from people using the simple formula 'I remember', and read those out at the ceremony', Finlay said. 'We then buried them in a wooden kist with white roses.' Roses were buried atop a wooden kist (Image: George Logan).Several speakers read poems and memoires at the event; including Finlay, Edinburgh-based poet Ken Cockburn, and Perthshire author Morag Anderson. Finlay contracted Covid the week before lockdown began and still suffers from Long Covid. He says his artwork helps to keep the issue at the forefront of the public's imagination. 'I'll never forget the two million people who were changed by Covid', he said. 'The government has not done enough. 'We need to come to terms with the trauma. This can take the form of works of art and fiction.' Finlay worked alongside The Herald and other stakeholders to create Scotland's Covid memorial in Pollok Country Park, which was completed in the spring of 2023. Herald readers raised more than £240,000 in support of the memorial, which was backed by the Scottish Government and leading entrepreneurs Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey. Members of the public gathered at the event. (Image: George Logan) The memorial, which consists of 40 'rune-like' wooden tree supports lined along a woodland path, is intended to serve as a space for solace and quiet contemplation. Finlay and his team solicited 'I remember' statements from members of the public, asking them to recall moments and memories of their loved ones. At the time, he said: 'My inbox has been like a burn flowing and then, some days, there are waterfalls, where it fills up. 'Each person's memory helps to make the individual experience of the pandemic real – sometimes tragic personal losses are expressed in simple almost mundane memories, which are moving – bad Dad jokes, shared walks, the texture of a wall – while others strike to the heart – the fears we've all sometimes felt, a son lost too early, a beloved mum now gone.' Five years have passed since the pandemic began, and while many have moved on with their lives, Finlay says it is imperative that people do not forget what happened. He notes: 'We're still within the shadow of the pandemic. The beauty of art is that it can bring that time back into public discourse. 'It's like living through a war. We are now in the post-war reconstruction period, and it's going very poorly.' Indeed, for those who have experienced Long Covid, or the death of a loved one, or the various issues caused by social isolation, the trauma is far from being reconstructed. Finlay hopes that his work can give voice to these individuals, and play a part, no matter how small, in helping them heal.
Sky News
09-03-2025
- General
- Sky News
COVID Day of Reflection: When is it and what events are happening to mark five years since start of pandemic?
Five years on from the start of the COVID pandemic, the UK will mark a nationwide Day of Reflection. The deadly virus shut down the world after it began to spread from Wuhan in China at the beginning of 2020. Between March 2020 and July 2022, an estimated 180,000 people died after contracting COVID in England and Wales, according to figures published by The King's Fund thinktank. To commemorate the unprecedented period, an annual day of reflection was one of 10 recommendations set out by the UK Commission on COVID Commemoration back in 2023. This year, events around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been organised by local councils and community groups to mark the fifth anniversary. Here is everything you need to know about the day, and how to get involved. What is the Day of Reflection and when is it? This year's COVID Day of Reflection is on Sunday, 9 March. The UK government said the day will be an opportunity for the public to remember those who lost their lives, as well as reflect on the impact the virus had on daily lives, and pay tribute to all frontline workers. What events are going on? Governments and local councils from across the four nations have announced they are taking part in the Day of Reflection. In London, a procession is planned along the National COVID Memorial Wall in Westminster. At the far end of the wall there will be a brief ceremony and guests will be invited to cast flowers into the Thames from Lambeth Bridge. Also in the capital, special evensong services will be held at St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, which will include readings, music, and prayers. The event at St Paul's is for ticket-holders only. At Euston station, a minute's silence will be held at midday. An invite-only event is also planned to take place at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire. Author and poet Michael Rosen will speak at the event and soprano Lesley Garrett will perform. Manchester Cathedral will host a special prayer service, honouring and reflecting on the unique challenges faced by the Black, Caribbean and African community during the pandemic. In Wales, the yellow heart memorial, made up of yellow stones on the side of a mountain in the village of Bwlch, will be restored, while families who lost loved ones during the pandemic will gather to plant trees in the Ynys Hywel COVID memorial woodland. In Scotland, a wreath will be laid at the memorial bench behind Pollock House in Glasgow followed by a release of doves. In the northern town of Wick, a film documenting how people in the Scottish Highlands experienced the pandemic will be premiered. In Northern Ireland, Belfast City Hall will light up yellow to remember those lost during the pandemic. A reflection concert will also be held at 2 Royal Avenue in the city centre, where singers from The National Lottery Community Fund, Belfast Rock Choir and 11-year-old social media sensation Isla Loves will perform. Numerous grief support groups have also been set up in locations across the country. A full list of planned events can be found on the government website here. What has the government said? Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the Day of Reflection is an "opportunity to remember the friends and loved ones that we lost, as well as the sacrifices that so many people made". She said people could take part by attending or organising a community event, or remembering in their own way at home. 3:17 Chair of the COVID Commemoration Commission Baroness Morgan of Cotes added: "As each year passes since the height of the pandemic it can feel as if COVID is more and more of a distant memory. "And yet I know from the conversations the UK COVID Commemoration Commissioners had, that those who lost loved ones appreciate a day when many others will also remember those who lost their lives with them."
