Sask. woman calling for removal of statue honouring residential school founder
A Saskatchewan woman is calling for the removal of a statue of Father Hugonard, a Roman Catholic priest who founded the Lebret Indian Industrial Residential School.
The statue currently stands in the Sacred Heart Catholic cemetery in Lebret, about one hour northeast of Regina. Star Andreas said she wants it removed from the spot, and placed somewhere else, like a museum.
“We can’t leave it there, because it brings back trauma,” said Andreas.
A statue of a Roman Catholic priest who founded the Lebret Indian Industrial Residential School currently stands in the Sacred Heart Catholic cemetery. (Source: Star Andreas)
A statue of a Roman Catholic priest who founded the Lebret Indian Industrial Residential School currently stands in the Sacred Heart Catholic cemetery. (Source: Star Andreas)
THE STATUE’S HISTORY
Father Hugonard opened the school in 1884, west of the Village of Lebret. It was one of the first industrial schools to open, and was the last to close in Canada in 1998. The monument of him was created in 1926 and stood near the entrance of the school until the late 1990s, when it was moved to the Sacred Heart Catholic cemetery.
The monument of Father Hugonard was created in 1926 and stood near the entrance of the school. When the school closed in the late 1990s, Micheal Starr, chief of Star Blanket Cree Nation, said the town approached the reserve about the statue. Star Blanket Cree Nation then gave it to the people of Lebret, and the monument was moved to the Sacred Heart Catholic cemetery.
A person who attended the school for 12 years - who asked to remain anonymous - told CTV News the state was a ‘domineering presence,’ and reminder to “‘Be a good little Indian’ as the priests and nuns were the overall authority over all aspects of our lives.”
Starr said he is also supportive of having the statue removed.
RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL DISCOVERY PROMPTED ANDREAS TO ACT
Andreas said the statue has always upset her. However, given the recent discovery of 215 children buried at a former residential school in B.C., she decided to set up camp near the statue, to raise awareness about what happened at Saskatchewan residential schools too.
“It’s sensitive because there’s two kids, two children that are standing beside this priest. It’s a priest holding two native children…and that’s not cool,” said Andreas.
In the meantime, tiny pairs of shoes now surround the statue of Father Hugonard, placed there in honour of the children who died at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Andreas believes more horrors exist in Saskatchewan.
Children's shoes surround the base of a statue of a Roman Catholic priest who who founded the Lebret Indian Industrial Residential School. (Taylor Rattray/CTV Regina)
“I’m pretty sure they got to do a search down here (in Lebret), because people are sharing stories with me about the children,” Andreas said.“We’ve got to start searching for our own here.”
As monuments of figures linked to residential schools come under increase scrutiny across the country, Mi’kmaw lawyer, Pam Palmater told CTV Newschannel she hopes it doesn’t pull focus from the big things that need to happen.
“To really put all the resources, time and attention into identifying all of these children in all of these graves, and making sure they are brought back home to their communities,” Palmater said on Monday.
The church’s response
CTV News reached out to the church about the statue, and was told to speak with the Archbishop of Regina, Donald Bolen. He said he has had several conversations with Andreas about the statue, and ‘understands where she is coming from.’
“Those grounds are really important. They carry the memories of that school,” Bolen said. “I think, if the statue doesn’t accurately depict that experience for Indigenous peoples, it’s good that it go elsewhere.”
Bolen said he agrees with placing the statue in the Lebret Museum. He said he will support whatever the Indigenous community decides.
“True to Indigenous ways, and church ways, we need to go through the right process in making this decision and involve the right people, so that it doesn’t end up creating more conflict,” he said.
If you are a former residential school student 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: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.