Video shows protestors destroying memorial for residential school victims
A video captured by CTV News shows two protestors destroying a memorial on the Saskatchewan Legislative Building steps. The memorial honoured children who died in residential schools.
The footage shows two protestors, who were later seen holding signs against vaccines and COVID-19 public health measures, shovelling the memorial into a garbage bag.
A Wascana Centre Community Safety Officer is later seen taking the bag away.
Residential school survivor Brenda Dubois said she was heartbroken to see the video.
“The first reaction is hurt. I could say anger, but anger is too easy nowadays,” Dubois said.
She was part of the group that put hundreds of backpacks on the steps of the Legislature this past summer, to mark the discovery of unmarked graves found at former residential schools sites.
“This whole thing was covered [with backpacks]. And all we left was a little tiny space. And (the protestors) wouldn’t even give us that honour of just that little tiny space. By removing it, they’re still saying, ‘Forget this. Move on,’” she said.
Others were quick to condemn the actions of the two protestors.
“It was disgusting, it was arrogant and it was hateful,” said Aleana Young, an NDP MLA.
“I hesitate to comment on their state of mind or why they would do that,” said Ryan Meili, leader of the NDP. “But, simply put, it wasn’t their place and it was the wrong thing to do.”
In an emailed statement, the provincial government also denounced the removal of the memorial.
“Premier Moe strongly condemns these actions, and has noted that these are the same protestors responsible for several idiotic actions over the past several months,” the government said in a statement
The statement goes on to say a Wascana Centre Community Safety Officer retrieved the items put in a garbage bag and they will be returned to the steps of the legislative building to continue the memorial.
Dubois said she still questions why the protestors weren’t stopped from taking the items in the first place.
“But, we decide now to focus on healing,” Dubois said. “So I pray that yes, people do bring some shoes back, to replace the visual memory, that hurt still exists today. It is not historical.”
CTV News connected with the man in the video but he declined an interview.
--
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: 1-866-925-4419
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.