The Cowichan Valley Regional District wishes to express our sadness and grief with Penelakut Tribe’s recent announcement of the discovery of 160 unmarked graves at the site of the Kuper Island Industrial School. We offer our condolences and support to the Penelakut Tribe and all First Nations communities and survivors who continue to endure the impacts of the Residential School system in Canada. We cannot begin to know the pain and trauma that so many have suffered but we offer our unconditional acknowledgement, support and compassion to our First Nations neighbors today and into the future and commit to reconciling the past truths, discrimination and racial injustices that have been cast upon the First Nations of our region and our country.