'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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.