By Cecilia Nasmith

Members of Northumberland County Council and staff paused for a moment of silence Monday morning to honour the lives and memories of the 215 children whose remains were discovered at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia.

The observance occurred at the beginning of county council's this morning’s Public Works Standing Committee meeting. Flags at Northumberland County facilities have been lowered to half-mast, and will remain at half-mast for 215 hours - one hour for every life lost.

“Northumberland County has lowered its flags as an expression of our shared sorrow at the horrific discovery at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in BC,” Warden Bob Crate stated in the announcement.

“On behalf of county council and staff, our thoughts remain with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, and with all survivors, families and communities who continue to experience the trauma of Canada’s residential school system.”