We are deeply saddened by the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children found buried on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in BC, at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. This is a heartbreaking discovery for Indigenous communities across Canada, reminding us that Canada cannot simply erase its “dark past” entailing the inhumane treatment of the Indigenous peoples as it has attempted to by means monetary compensation and public services as reconciliation. Canada is built on the foundation of cultural genocide committed against the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, and as a country we must not forgive and forget this atrocity. For decades, families have searched and longed to be reunited with their children that were murdered under the church and state, the children that would today be elders in their communities encompassing their rich and vibrant culture and languages. Since the mid 19th century, up until the last school closure in 1996, Indigenous children were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools in hope of kicking the “Indigenous” out of them and assimilating them into “Canadian” culture. These aren’t the only Indigenous children that were forced out of their homes only to never one day return – and those who did end up walking free were subjected to a lifetime of trauma that has been passed on for generations and will continue for more to come. We must honour the lives of these 215 children, the thousands of other children who were documented and never forget the children who are still unaccounted for. 
 
In memory of the 215 children killed under the establishment of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, Sports For Smiles will be donating 215 soccer balls to Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. The soccer balls stand as a symbol of unity, solidarity in which we settlers and immigrants to this sacred land stand, in memory of these children’s youth – and for all survivors of residential schools.
 
Sincerely,
 
The Sports For Smiles Team ​

Sports For Smiles sold samosas to celebrate Diwali at South Delta Secondary School! The group got the school into the spirit and raised $200 for their upcoming mission.  Vancouver followers - stay tuned for the exciting news that is to come!

(Right to Left)
Janeva Shahi, Georgia Fayle, Matthew Fayle, Christina Coburn
- missing in the photo: Janaka Shahi 

NNSL has published two stories on Sports For Smiles' equipment donation to the Inuvik Youth Centre! Check them out!
​(links are below)

https://www.nnsl.com/nwtnewsnorth/inuvik-youth-centre-to-get-soccer-equipment-donation-leadership-seminars/ 

​https://www.nnsl.com/inuvikdrum/big-donation-for-inuvik-youth-centre/

Today's meeting with President, Janeva Shahi, and Executive Member, Georgia Fayle, was a success! They were able to structure a plan that will be going into effect this September and will be unveiled soon. Stay tuned for more!

Check out today's edition of Sports For Smiles on the Delta Optimist! 

​President Janeva Shahi met with MP Carla Qualtrough of Delta to discuss Sports For Smiles’ plans for September!

Check out MP Carla Qualtrough's post about Sports For Smiles on Twitter!

Our shipment has been sent from Vancouver and is en route to Inuvik! We have shipped soccer balls, jerseys, pinnies, cones, a ball pump, and a first aid kit! All equipment will be donated to the Inuvik Youth Centre @Inuvik Youth Centre! Thank you @Northwind Industries LTD. and @Mehtoj Group Ltd for providing transportation! We also want to once again thank Coastal FC for the equipment donation!

Thank you Coastal FC for the soccer equipment donation! Please contact us if you have any new or lightly used sports equipment that you would like to donate! 
#sportsforsmiles #sportsequipment #coastalfc