On May 27, 2021, James Peters, the News Director for CFJC, was given the “scoop” to share with the world the Kamloops Indian Band’s story that the “remains of 215 children” had been “confirmed”. The story he wrote was very like the press release that the Band had developed.
On November 14, 2025, James Peters made a commentary criticizing Frances Widdowson, Dallas Brodie and Jim McMurtry for asking questions about the “Kamloops 215” claim that he had fomented.
In this commentary, Peters applauds attempts to cancel Widdowson, Brodie and McMurtry because they:
“whitewash the horrors of Canada’s residential school system”;
exhibit “prejudice, hatred and a complete misrepresentation of Canadian history”;
“believe the confirmation of 215 suspected graves located near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School is a lie” and “morbidly…demand exhumation of remains”;
don’t consider the “pain and intergenerational trauma that still lingers in our family members, our friends and neighbours”; and
accuse the Kamloops Indian Band of “grift” when “They are running their own grift, desperate for attention and validation”.
This commentary was in response to attempts by Frances Widdowson, Dallas Brodie and Jim McMurtry to discuss the Kamloops claim at Thompson Rivers University on November 12, 2025.
A comprehensive overview of the discussions that occurred on November 12, 2025 was recorded by Kris Eriksen:
https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1mnGeNVAwlZJX
Footage shot by Simon Hergott is also available, which shows that Widdowson, Brodie and McMurtry were not “shouted down”.
Footage was also shot of Frances Widdowson having a discussion with Charlene Belleu.
Coverage of the discussions was provided by Alex Zoltan from True North.
Drea Humphrey of Rebel News also covered the discussions.
Frances Widdowson gave an interview with David Brett of The New Westminster Times.
Frances Widdowson gave her account of the discussions later that evening.
