Wildflowers for children who never had the chance

We are a group of coworkers living on the traditional, unceded, stolen lands of the Coast Salish people. We are among the many people across Turtle Island and around the world, who were devastated by the news of the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the site of a residential school on the lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.

The truth that many Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools never made it home has been known publicly from the accounts of survivors and their families. The news of this discovery made that truth present and painful. We are blessed to work alongside an Elder and an Indigenous peer research associate in our workplace - Elder Valerie, who is Mi'kmaq, Haida and Roma in descent, and  Claudette, who is Cree in descent. Both Elder Valerie and Claudette were immersed in Ceremony following the discovery of the initial grave sites, yet still graciously offered guidance and wisdom during this difficult time.

Elder Valerie shared her vision for a memorial wildflower garden  that our group could support  to stand in solidarity with our Indigenous communities and survivors of these institutions.

The vision for the memorial gardens has blossomed in all of our hearts, but it was first planted in our minds by our beloved colleague Elder Valerie.

Amazingly, the wildflower seeds that sparked this idea came into Elder Valerie’s hands a few weeks before the discovery of the grave sites. She had attended a community event where she had been gifted wildflower seeds, with a message to “broadcast freely.” At the time she was gifted the seeds, something spoke to her to keep them with her. And she did.


When the news of the children’s grave sites came to light, she immediately recalled the seeds and realized this was the moment to plant them, as a way to memorialize the children. She saw wildflowers as the ideal memorial for these little souls - wildflowers which grow free, remind us of childhood freedom and innocence to live and grow. Those children didn't get a chance, but now their spirits are free in the spirit world.

When the terrible news from the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation came to light, the idea of planting wild flower gardens in memory of the children was immediately embraced by the team. What a beautiful, personal project to put all of our sadness and rage towards! People have said to Elder Valerie, “the children are going to bring the bees back.” We agree!

Find out more about Running Free on our website

Funding for this project will go towards setting up initial garden spaces at 1st and Commercial and will provide financial support for others wishing to start their own memorial gardens. All memorial gardens must be done in a Good Way and keeping with Indigenous Ceremony and Protocols, and honouring Elders and Land Keepers. Eligible costs will include providing honorarium and related travel expenses to Elders and Knowledge Keepers who are involved in the Opening Ceremonies of the garden project, as well as ongoing ceremonies for other gardens as they are established. Funds will also support the purchasing and distribution of wildflower seeds that will be purchased from Indigenous-owned and led companies. 

After the completion of the campaign, which we anticipate will be ongoing for ~12-months, any additional funds raised will be donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and to support Yúusenewas an Indigenous youth-led program that provides opportunities for Indigenous youth to connect with each other, build skills and knowledge to take care of each other, and challenge stigma related to HIV and Hep C.