Residential school victims mourned outside St. Peter's Basilica in London

WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.

Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors and dozens of others left a powerful message outside London's oldest Catholic church Sunday to honour the memories of 215 children found buried on the grounds of a former residential school in British Columbia that had been run by the church.

More than 150 people gathered distantly at St. Peter's Cathedral Basilicato hear stories ofsurviving residential school, either directly or within a family. Poems, traditional songs and a moment of silencewas held for the children who died.

"Myheartjustbroke and it hurts really bad," said Joelle Mandamin from Oneida Nation of the Thames. "It's like a pain that you can't describe,because it's passed down through generations."

The bodies of the 215 children were uncoveredduring a search of the grounds at the site of the former residential schoolnear the city of Kamloops, B.C.,theTk'emlps te SecwpemcFirst Nation said Thursday. The First Nation said the missing children, some whowere as young as three years old,were undocumented deaths.

Attempts are underway to identify the remains and return them home.

Indigenous people who were at the memorial service on Sunday said the past few days have been filled with grief over what they've lost and what they've had to overcome.

"My dad was a residential school survivor," said Tammy Doxtatorfrom Oneida Nation of the Thames.

"The impact that your parent was a residential school survivor, and understanding it didn't mean good things. It meant traumatic things. Itmeant not even hearing him say that he loved you ... because he didn't know how to do that."

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)estimatesmore than 150,000 children attended residential schools in Canadafrom the1830suntil the last school closed in 1996. Based on death records, about 4,100 children died at schools, but the NCTR has said the true total is likely much higher.

The Kamloops Indian Residential School was in operation from 1890 to 1969 under the administration of the Catholic Church. The federal government then took over and operated it as a residence for a day schooluntil closing it in 1978.

"We have big ripple effects, really huge waves, of what the Catholic Church hasdone to our people and to our children. What they brought on to our people was so big. How can they get away with it?" Doxtator said

Yeyatalunyuhe George,who organized the memorial, said its been an emotional few days. When thinking about the children who died, she thinks of her own.

"I can't imagine what happened to those babies that couldn't speak. They were raped. They were molested. You know, these things are real. They really happened and the stories, a lot of them, will never be told because the people that went through them can't speak about it, you know?"

George hopes the hundreds of shoes placed on the steps of the church remain there and serve as a prompt topeople to continue to educate themselves about the impact of residential schools.

"I think that each residential school or area where there was one, standing or not, needs to be investigated. Canada needs to be accountable. Thesebabies and bodies need to be found. There needs to be names to each and every one of them and I think that we as a people in Canada deserve those answers and the true history needs to be taught of how Canada came to be."

Flags across the country havebeen lowered or will be lowered in honour of the children, including at the Peace Tower in Ottawa, the British Columbialegislature, the Manitoba legislatureand London's city hall, among others

Support available

Support is available for anyone affected by the lingering effects of residential schools, and those who are triggered by the latest reports. TheIndian Residential School Survivors Society(IRSSS) can be contacted toll-freeat1-800-721-0066.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for formerstudents and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.