'Disappointing': Residential school in Lebret, Sask. vandalized
Three days before the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada the former residential school in Lebret, Sask. was vandalized.
Jordan Starr was walking the grounds as security patrol when he saw the vulgar and racist graffiti spray-painted onto the building’s walls and doors.
“The morning we came in it was pretty disappointing to come across because we have our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation coming up this Thursday and for that to happen during a time like that is just disappointing,” said Starr.
Starr said this vandalism is insulting, disheartening and truly speaks to the experiences of Indigenous people throughout history.
“[I feel] heartbroken, especially for survivors from residential schools because this is where they went to school and they are trying to heal and grieve from things that stem from this kind of mindset,” said Starr.
The residential school in Lebret operated until the mid-’90s, and to many survivors, it encompasses memories of great sadness and pain.
Michael Starr, Chief of Star Blanket Cree Nation, said this is not the first time the property has been hit by vandals.
Since May they have increased security patrol and will be making changes to the work hours to prevent this from happening again.
“We have our security up until 2 a.m. and so now after that [incident] we are going to change that up,” said Chief Starr.
While Chief Starr is grateful no one was injured, he said education is key to resolving ignorance and hate.
“We need a little bit more of that [education] inside our school systems and our homes just to keep reminding our young people that this is where we need to live with one another and help one another live in peaceful coexistence.”
The community is disheartened by this incident, but Chief Starr said Indigenous people are resilient and will come together for Reconciliation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.