Saskatchewan unveils design of residential school memorial

The design of the Saskatchewan Residential School Memorial was unveiled Thursday — the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The memorial, which is to be built on the grounds of Government House in Regina, was among the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The commission recommended the creation of a publicly accessible, highly visible memorial in each of Canada’s capital cities to honour residential school survivors and all the children who were lost while attending the schools.

The federal government says 150,000 Indigenous children from across Canada were taken from their families and communities and put into residential schools. It’s estimated around 20 residential schools operated in Saskatchewan from the 1880s to the 1990s.

“This memorial serves to pay respect to a tragic chapter in the history of our province, and honour those whose lives were lost in residential schools, the survivors and their families,” Premier Scott Moe said in a media release.

“The Residential School Memorial Site invites reflection, education and most importantly, healing and reconciliation.”

Indigenous knowledge-keepers, leaders and residential school survivors from across the province were involved in the design process, which was led by Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty.

“This isn’t my design,” Mirasty said during a media conference Thursday. “This isn’t the L-G’s design. It’s the design that came out of all these conversations I had with this very special group of people.”

He said being part of it was a special experience, as a residential school survivor himself.

“This work has been very personal in a way, although I’ve tried to be objective as the work progressed,” he said.  “I’ve very fortunately, actually, to be a part of it.”

Design plans were unveiled at Government House for a memorial to those who attended residential schools in Saskatchewan. (Joseph Ho/980 CJME)

Mirasty said the original goal was to have monument installed ahead of Sept. 30.

“It takes time to get things done right,” he said. “We kind of slowed it down a bit to make sure we’re on the right path and I think we are. So we’re talking next spring at the earliest because once the ground freezes, there won’t be much opportunity to do any work on the grounds.”

The design plans were unveiled during a ceremony outside Government House with dozens of high school students in attendance.

“They’re learning,” Mirasty said. “They can absorb what’s being told. As well, they’re in a position to share what they learned. So that knowledge will carry on with them.”

Mirasty wants the monument to prompt people to take a closer look at Canada’s history.

“It’s really just to spark more conversation, more thought and hopefully people will ask those questions, on their own or with help of others, seek that knowledge and those answers that they want,” he said.

According to the release from the provincial government, the memorial will be “circular in shape, symbolizing the cycles of the seasons and of life. It includes benches that will be made from reclaimed elm wood, sourced from Wascana Centre and Government House and milled by the Provincial Capital Commission. It also includes Saskatchewan plants and trees which are installed throughout the design.”

The centre of the memorial will feature a large stone that depicts Saskatchewan and the locations of each former residential school in the province.

“The stone will face east, toward the sunrise, signifying hope,” the release said. “A smudge bowl will be installed in front of the stone for ceremonial purposes.”

Provincial government offers educational grants

The Ministry of Education launched Thursday a new, one-time grant program for students learning about truth and reconciliation.

According to a media release from the government, school divisions, historical high schools and qualified independent schools can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to work with local Indigenous communities to implement actions to advance reconciliation throughout the 2021-22 school year.

“These grants provide a chance for Saskatchewan schools to come together with Indigenous communities to have a meaningful dialogue in the spirit of reconciliation,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in the release.

“It is vital we acknowledge the tragic legacy of residential schools and provide Saskatchewan residents with opportunities to learn about our shared history as part of our commitment to building our province.”

The deadline for applications is Nov. 5.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Joseph Ho