The Town of Carlyle and White Bear First Nations have announced the installation of a permanent memorial in Carlyle’s Centennial Park, dedicated to children lost to residential schools, residential school survivors and their families.
The announcement was made Monday afternoon during a ceremony held in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day which recognizes and celebrates the history, culture and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Canada.
“Today, we recognize the injustices as we gather on these traditional lands and pledge to begin reconciliation with the guidance of our neighbors at White Bear First Nations,” said Carlyle Mayor Jennifer Sedor in a speech during the ceremony.
The memorial will be placed at the archway at the entrance to Centennial Park “as a reminder to all those that pass under, to never forget those that have been forever impacted by the residential school system in Canada,” Sedor said.
A temporary memorial was erected last month in front of the Carlyle town office following news of the discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the former site of an Indian residential school in Kamloops, B.C.
Sedor was joined at Monday’s gathering by Councillors Nicole Currie and Jared Riddell from Carlyle Town Council, along with White Bear First Nations Chief Nathan Pasap, White Bear Councillors Tanya Littlechief, Debbie Maxie, Dez Standingready and Diette Kinistino, and Elders Michael Lonechild and Nora Kikakaway. Members of the public were also in attendance, including many students from Gordon F. Kells High School.
The White Bear First Nations is home to four Indigenous nations: Cree, Anishinabe, Nakota and Dakota.
Lonechild and Kakakaway offered traditional prayers in honour of all those impacted by Canada’s residential school system.
“We're here for (a) purpose, because of the things that happened in the past. The things that shouldn't have happened in the past and the things that we don't like to talk about,” Lonechild said.
“I'm going to say a prayer for our children and for you, and that we can move forward with a clear mind, a good mind, (and) that we (can) all recognize each other as good people. I think if we look at it like that, we're going to be alright.”
Chief Nathan Pasap joined Sedor at the podium and accepted an offering of tobacco made on behalf of the Town of Carlyle to White Bear First Nations.
Pasap reflected on the difficult reality of Canada’s past actions and the long-term impacts of residential schools.
“Lots of our people didn't come back from residential school. Lots of them didn't make it. Lots of them came out of there so severely damaged by the atrocities that occurred within these residential schools that they never came back. They're still here, but they're suffering because they had too much done to them,” Pasap said.
Alongside these difficult realities, Pasap also acknowledged those residential school survivors who have risen to help their communities grow, and the need for healing, reconciliation and action amongst all communities.
“Reconciliation isn't just a word. Reconciliation is about action and by doing this, this is action ... a permanent memorial is very respectful,” Pasap said. “It's healing for our communities. You know, our communities have been intertwined for over 100 years and I just want to acknowledge that.”
As a gift to the Town of Carlyle and as an acknowledgement of the commitment to reconciliation between the two communities, Chief Pasap presented Sedor with a black and orange star quilt sewn by Flora Littlchief.
A pair of handmade moccasins with orange beads were also given in memory of the children lost to residential schools. The moccasins were crafted by Elder Sarah McArthur.
“Thank you to all who have attended today. It was wonderful to have you out on these first steps together as two communities to hopefully open a wonderful partnership in our future,” Sedor said.
First Picture: Back row, from left, Carlyle Town Councillors Nicole Currie and Jared Riddell, Elder Michael Lonechild, Carlyle Mayor Jennifer Sedor, Chief Nathan Pasap, White Bear Councillors Dez Standingready and Diette Kinistino. Front row, from left, White Bear Councillor Debbie Maxie, Elder Nora Kakakaway, White Bear Councillor Tanya Littlechief.
Second Picture: Carlyle Mayor Jennifer Sedor, left, accepts gifts of a star quilt and handmade moccasins from White Bear First Nations council members Tanya Littlechief, middle, and Debbie Maxie.
