Residential Schools Monument Announced
2021-01-27

Released on January 27, 2021

Monument Will Reside on the Grounds of Government House 

Today, Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty and Premier Scott Moe announced plans to construct a permanent, public monument at Government House in Regina to honour those who suffered, and those who continue to suffer, the impact of the residential school system.

“Our province is well served by Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty whose leadership has helped move forward this important gesture of reconciliation,” Moe said. “May it serve as a site for reflection, conversation, celebration and education, and most importantly as a place for healing.”

The construction of a permanent monument is a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Call to Action # 82, which recommends installing a publicly accessible, highly visible, Residential Schools Monument in each capital city to honour survivors and all the children who were lost to their families and communities.

“I’m very pleased that the Government of Saskatchewan is creating this important monument at Government House in Regina,” Mirasty said.  “The monument will be part of the healing journey, and I look forward to continuing my ongoing conversations with Elders and Knowledge Keepers as we work together to develop this meaningful and lasting tribute.”

The Lieutenant Governor will continue to speak with residential school survivors, their families and Indigenous elders throughout the winter.  Construction details of the monument will be shared following this discussion process.

“The Provincial Capital Commission is proud to be working with the Lieutenant Governor to create a lasting monument surrounded by the gardens at Government House,” Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission Don McMorris said.  “It is a fitting location for a memorial that will act to increase awareness of our province’s history and offer ongoing educational opportunities for students, as well as the general public.”

The residential school system operated in Canada for more than a century.  The federal government reports that 150,000 Indigenous children were removed and separated from their families and communities to attend these schools.  The TRC estimates that approximately 20 federal residential schools operated in Saskatchewan from the 1880s to the 1990s.

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For more information, contact:

Donna Boyle
Provincial Capital Commission
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8544
Email: donna.boyle@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-520-8404