Saskatchewan Residential School Memorial Dedication on National Indigenous Peoples Day
On June 21st, 2022, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty and the Government of Saskatchewan dedicated the Saskatchewan Residential School Memorial on the grounds of Government House in Regina. Elders, survivors, government representatives, students, and members of the public and the media were on hand for the dedication ceremony which included remarks and blessings from special guests and a celebratory performance by the Eagle Claw Dancers.
His Honour Russ Mirasty said: “We need a lasting place where people can come to remember, to reflect, to pray and to think about what residential schools did to our country.”
Residential school survivor Ted Quewezance, from Keeseekoose First Nation, helped the Lieutenant Governor uncover the large stone and plaque that are the centre of the Residential School Memorial. Ted greeted the crowd in attendance and his remarks included: “What you see here behind us is going to be for the future generations of our people in this province… Why it’s here, what it’s about; it’s going to be history.”
The memorial fulfills Call to Action #82 of the 94 Calls to Action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report. Don McMorris, minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, stated that with the dedication, the Saskatchewan government has now fulfilled 28 of 34 calls to action specifically directed at the level of provincial governments. Minister McMorris said: “It isn’t just about recognizing the past, but it’s more importantly learning from the past.”
File Hills Tribal Council Chief Jeremy Fourhorns acknowledged that there is still more work to be done but said of the the Memorial dedication: “This is a good day.” Chief Fourhorns thanked those in attendance that had helped make the Memorial a reality including His Honour, Elders, survivors and provincial government officials. “This is something that will last a long time, and something that I’m hoping people will acknowledge, and learn and educate themselves to understand.”
There was sunshine and then rain and then sunshine again, and the audience remained throughout the ceremony. There was a sense of gratitude for being in attendance for the historic official opening of the Saskatchewan Residential School Memorial, only the second such provincial capital memorial in our country. The Lt. Governor hopes that soon other provinces will also create a place of healing and contemplation to honour all those that have been impacted by residential schools in Canada.