With no substantive actions to date 害羞草研究所渢o show a sincere commitment for reconciliation,害羞草研究所� Penticton Indian Band (PIB) Chief and council will not be recognizing National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

In a statement provided to the media, Chief Greg Gabriel said it is far too premature to celebrate this day.

害羞草研究所淎fter the discovery of the first 215 children害羞草研究所檚 graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School site, the Penticton Indian Band Chief and council are unanimous in their decision that they will not recognize the Sept. 30th Truth and Reconciliation Day,害羞草研究所� the statement reads.

Council agreed with and stood behind Chief Gabriel害羞草研究所檚 statement that there has been no real substantive actions to date to show a genuine or sincere commitment for reconciliation.

害羞草研究所淔or years, we have heard the same statements and promises being made and yet everything remains status quo. We as a people have struggled and continue to suffer from the effects of colonialism forced onto us by the Catholic Church and the Government of Canada. We hope that all citizens look at ways to educate themselves on the true history of what we as a people continue to struggle with.害羞草研究所�

However, the PIB council and chief said they don害羞草研究所檛 want to discourage any of 害羞草研究所渙ur relatives, friends or communities from having events that recognize and honour those lives lost as a result of the residential school atrocity and those who wish to honour all survivors that have thrived and remain with us.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淲e encourage all to keep the message strong and loud, that 害羞草研究所榃e are Still Here害羞草研究所� and 害羞草研究所榃e Will Never Forget.害羞草研究所� Our message and reminder has to always remain strong. We encourage everyone to wear your orange shirts on Sept. 30.害羞草研究所�

The PIB joins the Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief Keith Crow in questioning what this day is supposed to represent.

害羞草研究所淗ow do you celebrate a Truth and Reconciliation Day? How do you celebrate the death of all these children that died in residential schools, how do you celebrate that?害羞草研究所� said Crow.

At the burned down Sacred Hearts Catholic Church site on PIB land in June, Chief Gabriel said many people in his community are hurting and angry at the horrific discovery of 215 graves of those 害羞草研究所渋nnocent, poor children.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 anger across Canada. Myself, I害羞草研究所檓 very angry. I will do whatever I can in our leadership to make sure people are held accountable for those atrocities. It has to be a criminal investigation because that evil act is criminal. There needs to be a full criminal investigation, and people need to be held criminally responsible,害羞草研究所� Gabriel said at the time.

The Penticton Indian Band joined the Syilx Okanagan Nation害羞草研究所檚 For the Children Caravan to the Kamloops Residential School on June 26.