Fort Alexander IRS: $610,093

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: Sagkeeng First Nation has undertaken work related to Fort Alexander (Pine Falls) Residential School and the search for possible burial sites located on the land. The community-led initiative has involved knowledge gathering from Elders. Field investigation work on areas related to the school site location have been on-going since July, 2021. This work has brought together representatives from more than 30 communities that have been impacted by the residential school for ceremonial purposes.

Today, Chief Derrick Henderson of Sagkeeng First Nation, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced funding of $610,093 from the Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support Funding program, in support of the Sagkeeng First Nation’s Fort Alexander Residential School Site Ground Penetrating Radar initiative. This funding will further assist with archival research, mental health and wellness supports, and efforts toward memorialization and commemoration of missing children who attended the residential school.

Addressing the harms suffered by Survivors, their families and communities is at the heart of reconciliation and is essential to renewing and building relationships with Indigenous Peoples, governments, and all Canadians.

Sagkeeng First Nation is a Treaty-1 and Treaty-3 First Nation community comprised of Anicinabe people who have resided at or near Alexander Reserve Number 3 located along the Winnipeg River and Traverse Bay. Sagkeeng First Nation has a population of approximately 7,637 people, with 3,352 living on reserve.