‘We are part of that passage’: Plaques unveiled at former Assiniboia Residential School site

Survivors and community leaders unveiled plaques at the site of a former residential school in River Heights.

Community members and survivors of residential school system gathered at the former Assiniboia Residential School to remember the historic significance of the site on Tuesday.

Three plaques in seven languages, including Anishinaabemowin, Cree, and Dakota, were unveiled Tuesday morning, describing the history of the site and honouring the resilience of Indigenous children.

The ceremony featured comments from the Assiniboia Residential School Legacy Group, governmental dignitaries, and Parks Canada leadership.

“I’m very grateful for the strength and the resilience of all the elders who survived,” Toni Kipling, executive director of the Assiniboia Residential School Legacy Group said.

“I pray for the souls and spirits of the youth and children who did not make it back … I really am just so grateful for (survivors), for thriving and also still giving us that love.”

Senior vice president of operations of Parks Canada Andrew Campbell said commemoration is an attempt to honour the survivors, the families and the communities that have been affected.

“It’s important for Canada to take to heart our responsibility to educate ourselves as Canadians about the Indian residential school system,” Campbell said.

“We have to acknowledge the lasting legacy of these events and commit to carrying the truths from survivors, and also from those who did not survive.”

Senator Patricia Bovey emphasized the importance of intergenerational knowledge handovers.

“Just remember, that the knowledge of our cultures is passed down through generations – from grandparent to parent, to child. We are part of that passage,” Bovey said.

“Let’s listen. Let’s see the truths and absorb the meaning of the feather. Let us make the right decisions.”

The ceremony was part of the federal government’s response to Call to Action 79 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report – calling for commemoration of residential school sites.