New Report Reveals 96 Churches Burned or Vandalized Since the Residential Schools News Became Public in Canada - Map

In May 2021, the issue of unmarked graves at Indigenous Residential Schools gained renewed attention after an anthropologist detected ground disturbances on radar at Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021. It was claimed that 200 "probable burials" occurred, however, investigations into this claim are still ongoing. Several similar claims were made over the next several months, leading to commemorations and protests, followed by a series of arsons against Christian buildings and the 2022 "penitential" visit to Canada by Pope Francis. 

A new report has revealed that 96 Christian church buildings have suffered arson or vandalism since the news of the Indigenous Schools' unmarked graves was made public. A database  map was created revealing the location of the churches that were attacked. (SEE Below) By clicking each location on the map below one can find the report of the specific church attack. The Catholic Civil Rights League of Canada has made a database of Catholic churches that have been attacked, whereas the map below includes both Catholic and other Christian denominations. 

According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, Residential schools were government-sponsored religious schools that were established to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. Residential schools were created by Christian churches and the Canadian government as an attempt to both educate and convert Indigenous youth and to assimilate them into Canadian society. However, the schools disrupted lives and communities, causing long-term problems among Indigenous peoples. 

In response to the situation of residential schools, the CCCB has had numerous initiatives and restorative activities. They wrote, Canada’s Catholic Bishops are fully committed to working with Indigenous peoples and communities across the country to support healing and reconciliation, and to address the historic and ongoing suffering caused by the Catholic Church’s role in the Indian Residential School (“IRS”) system. As part of this work, the CCCB is making every effort to be open and transparent about the Church’s role, as well as the steps taken on the long journey towards reconciliation. (Sources: CCCB.ca - Canadian Encyclopedia - CBC - https://ccrl.ca/church-attacks-database/ - Wikipedia - https://tnc.news/2024/01/02/a-map-of-every-church-burnt-or-vandalized-since-the-residential-school-announcements3/)