I’ve sat silently, doing my best to listen to those whose voices need to be heard and amplified right now.

I’m at a loss for words, filled with disgust and an ache in my heart that’s been there since I first heard about the residential schools when I was younger.

two. hundred. fifteen.

innocent Indigenous children.

who never got to go home.

who never mattered enough for their deaths to be documented.

who never mattered enough to be given a proper burial.

they matter. they’ve always mattered. they will always matter.

an apology from our government will never be enough.

a single day of wearing an orange shirt, a single day of national mourning, will never be enough.

we must do better.

and it starts with you and me.

today.