'We can now speak our truth': Former residential school on Muskowekwan First Nation named national historic site
A former residential school, which is still standing on the Muskowekwan First Nation in Saskatchewan, has been named a national historic site by the federal government.
The Muscowequan Indian Residential School, located on Muskowekwan First Nation, is the last standing residential school in Saskatchewan and was one of the last residential schools to close in Canada when it shut its doors in 1997. At least 35 unmarked graves have been found on the residential school grounds since the 1990s.
The announcement was made by Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal minister responsible for Parks Canada, on Thursday. Muskowekwan First Nation worked with Parks Canada to share the stories of residential school survivors and “determine the historic values of the site.”
“Far too long, our survivors have lived through this dark history without recognition but today marks a new era of reconciliation and learning,” Muskowekwan First Nation Chief Reginald Bellerose said in a press release.
“We can now speak our truth and have a building that will tell our story from our perspective.”
Parks Canada said national historic designations mark both positive and negative aspects of Canadian history.
The government said designating residential schools as national historic sites align with Call to Action 79 of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which calls on the federal government to develop a “reconciliation framework for Canadian heritage and commemoration.”
--
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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.