Flags are Flying at Half Mast Today in Woodstock and Oxford County

Monday, 31 May 2021 at 13:59

The City of Woodstock and Oxford County are flying their flags at half mast today in remembrance of the 215 children whose bodies were discovered at a former Residential School in Kamloops.

Flags are flying at half mast across the country today, including in Oxford County and Woodstock.

Calls have been mounting for a national day of mourning after the bodies of 215 children were found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.

Flags have been lowered at all federal buildings in the country. Locally they have been lowered at the Oxford County Administration Building and at the City of Woodstock as well. Woodstock Mayor Trevor Birtch has released the following statement on the matter:

"Woodstock joins communities across Canada in mourning the 215 children whose remains have been found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. The flag at City Hall will be lowered until further notice to honour them.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the children, their families, their communities, and all who are most affected by this terrible discovery. This is a tragic example of the abuse and neglect that occurred in Canada’s residential school system, and the terrible violence and harm inflicted on Indigenous people.

As we reflect on the shameful legacy of residential schools in Canada, we must also recognize this as a moment to rededicate ourselves to learning, understanding, and reconciliation. As a community, we must commit to positive change, and to eradicating racism and violence against Indigenous people."

Oxford County CAO Michael Duben also issued a statement today say the flags will be lowered for 215 hours.

“Oxford County joins Canadians in their shared grief over the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. We are following the federal government and other organizations across the country in lowering our flags to half-mast in observance of these children and all Indigenous children who never made it home from residential schools. Flags will remain at half-mast for 215 hours (nine days). Our thoughts are with the families, extended families, Indigenous communities and all Canadians at this time.”

The Thames Valley District School Board is having a moment of silence at 2:15 pm today.