The 215 pairs of shoes placed in front Brighouse library in memory of 215 children found in unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School have been collected and are being stored by the Richmond museum.
The museum is awaiting direction from an Indigenous elder on what should happen to them, explained city spokesperson Clay Adams.
The shoes were left by Richmond community members at the library plaza along with toys and flowers.
Mary Point, a Richmond resident who is a descendent of the Musqueam Point family who originally occupied the village of q̓ʷeyaʔχʷ (now known as Garry Point), told the Richmond News there are cultural meaning attached to the shoes as they were left for the 215 children.
One suggestion is to have them cleansed by an Indigenous elder if they should be used for another purpose.
The city wants to make sure they deal with them with the appropriate respect, Adams said.
Two vigils were held at the library plaza to remember the children found at the residential school.
Furthermore, orange ribbons were placed on Russ Baker Way to commemorate the children.
