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PHOTOS: Vigil for residential school victims held at Abbotsford park

Several hundred locals gather at Jubilee Park on Tuesday following horrific discovery in Kamloops

Several hundred people gathered on Tuesday (June 1) evening at Jubilee Park in downtown Abbotsford to honour and remember the lives of the 215 children whose remains were recently found on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops.

Approximately 215 candles were lit within the park to honour those who were buried at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was established in 1890 and closed in 1978.

Locals gathered at the park at around 6 p.m., with prayers and song occurring. Food was also available and the candles were lit when it became darker.

A motorcycle ride is also scheduled for Saturday, which will see participants go from Abbotsford to Kamloops. The ride leaves at 9 a.m. from the Fraser Valley Auto Mall, stops for gas in Merritt and then meet at the highway pullout to lead all riders to the Kamloops residential school site to pay respects.

Those making the ride are asked to wear orange. For more information on the event, call 604-825-0813

RELATED: PHOTOS: Abbotsford reflects on horrific findings at former residential school in Kamloops



Ben Lypka

About the Author: Ben Lypka

I joined the Abbotsford News in 2015.
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