While the vigil for the 215 First Nations children discovered buried in Kamloops remains at the Okotoks Municipal Centre, preparations are underway to relocate most of the items originally set up there.

The shoes have been moved from their original location, and now sit beneath a canopy tucked in a corner by the municipal building, sheltered from the elements.

Where they once lined the steps of the courtyard in a circle formation, orange ribbons now hang from handrails and trees.

Anyone wishing to place more shoes at the vigil or collect shoes they previously left there can do so until 6 p.m. today (June 8).

The following day at 2:15 p.m., a representative from the Okotoks Museum and Archives will be taking some of the shoes for future National Indigenous History Month displays, with the rest to be collected by the Okotoks Indigenous Council and donated to legacy survivors and families of those impacted by residential schools.

That time on Wednesday marks 215 hours since the smudging ceremony was carried out at the vigil by its organizers.

The Town of Okotoks is also planning to create a time capsule to commemorate this time of mourning and is planning to meet with indigenous community members to open a dialogue on Monday, June 14th.

 

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email news@okotoksonline.com