'They needed to be marked': Regina metal shop launches fundraiser to commemorate unmarked graves at residential schools
A Regina metal shop has launched a new initiative to support residential school survivors and remember children who did not make it home.
Pro Metal Industries, which says it’s one of the only First Nations-owned manufacturing enterprises in the country, is producing 500 black and 500 orange aluminium feather keepsakes.
Organizers said they came up with the idea after unmarked graves were found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. Since going online Monday, the feathers have been purchased by people across North America.
“It was really amazing to see those orders coming in and now even today I’m seeing orders come in from New York and places like Texas which you know we never thought it would cross borders like it has,” said Melissa Reynolds, director of first impressions with Pro Metal Industries.
All of the proceeds will go towards creating a new scholarship for Indigenous students at Saskatchewan post secondary institutions.
Pasqua First Nation, which owns Pro Metal Industries, is a partner in the project and consulted with the shop ahead of producing the feathers.
Chief Matthew Peigan of Pasqua First Nation said they wanted to create a lasting memory with the aluminium feather, so people don’t forget what happened to Indigenous children at residential schools.
“These feathers, they’re not going to deteriorate. And in 30 years time, the significance of Every Child Matters and the orange will make people not forget,” said Chief Peigan.
“It’s so lightweight that you could carry it with you.”
Chief Matthew Peigan of Pasqua First Nation is pictured with the aluminum feather made by Pro Metal Industries. (Source: Pro Metal Industries)
Chief Matthew Peigan of Pasqua First Nation is pictured with the aluminum feather made by Pro Metal Industries. (Source: Pro Metal Industries)
Chief Peigan added the scholarship money raised will honour the academic achievements of Indigenous youth.
In addition to the feathers, Pro Metal has also started working on grave markers to be placed at gravesites.
“They need to be marked,” said Pro Metal president Mark Brown. “These children can never be forgotten. We need to have a keepsake or a reminder for everybody that there is actually a child buried here from the residential school system.”
--
If you are a residential school survivor in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419, or the Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free line at 1-800-721-0066.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.