Bigstone Health Commission: $2,009,322 2021-2024

CIRNAC: Bigstone Health Commission is undertaking work related to research, knowledge gathering, commemoration, memorialization, and fieldwork investigation around two former Residential Schools – Wabasca (St. John’s) and Desmarais (Wabiscaw Lake, St. Martin’s, Wabiscaw).

Today, Lorraine Muskwa, Chief Executive Officer of Bigstone Health Commission, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced funding totalling $2,009,322 for fiscal years 2021-2024 through the Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support Funding program to assist with this important work.

Bigstone Health Commission has established an Elder Advisory Committee to oversee archival research, interviews, gatherings for Survivors, and ground penetrating radar at both residential school sites. Fieldwork investigation is planned to commence summer 2022. This community-led process will ensure Bigstone Cree Nation can undertake this work in their own way and at their own pace.

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.

Bigstone Cree Nation is comprised of three communities: Calling Lake, Chipewyan Lake, and Wabasca located in northern Alberta with an on-reserve population of 3,500 and 4,700 members living off-reserve.