June 27, 2021
Indigenous artists create provincial Residential School Monuments
As of November, 2021 Winnipeg (2014), Edmonton (2017), Whitehorse (2018), Toronto (2019) and Regina (2021) have either installed or are in the process of installing a Residential School Monument
May 26, 2014: CBC – A monument to honour those who attended residential schools in Canada was unveiled on Monday near the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. The monument gift from David Bohn of Larsen Memorials and a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church.
July 12, 2017 – City officials announced that a public memorial will be built in Edmonton. Oct. 11, 2018 – A monument was unveiled in Whitehorse Yukon by Teslin Tlingit artist Artist Ken Anderson. The end product includes nine wooden stools in a circular formation on a concrete block, around an etching of the former school. The nine stools represent the language groups of the students who attended the Whitehorse Indian Mission School. Each stool is made from local wood.
Oct. 9-11, 2019 – The celebration aims to create awareness of the IRSS Legacy Project, led by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre in collaboration with the City of Toronto. The project, to be permanently featured on Nathan Phillips Square, is anticipated to be completed in 2022. This public space initiative will consist of a 6-foot (two metre) turtle sculpture called the “Restoration of Identity sculpture” and a “Teaching, Learning and Sharing and Healing space”. Designed by Anishinaabe artist Solomon King, the sculpture will be a giant turtle climbing over a boulder, representing the struggles experienced by residential school survivors and their continued resilience. The tiles on the back of the turtle will represent the different nations and clans within the province. The sculpture is also a reflection of the Turtle Island creation story.
Jan. 27, 2021 – Saskatchewan announced plans to build a Residential School monument at Government House in Regina. On Sept. 30, 2021 (Global News) the design plans were unveiled: The memorial design will be circular, symbolizing the cycles and seasons of life. It will include benches made from reclaimed elm wood.
Saskatchewan plants and trees will be planted throughout the design. At the centre of the memorial, a large natural stone will depict the province and the locations of each former residential school. The stone will face east toward the sunrise, which signifies hope. A smudge bowl will also be installed in the front of the stone for ceremonial purposes.