Designs have been completed for a major planned expansion to the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada, at the site of the former residential school in Portage la Prairie, Man.
Executive director Lorraine Daniels says it will be a place of healing and community.
“For some it will bring closure, and continue on with their healing journey,” she says. “It’s a place where they can connect with other survivors.”
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The plans include a new building behind the old school, centred on the Seven Sacred Teachings and including space for cultural activities, sweats, and sharing circles. A new medicine garden and a new monument to the students who never came home is planned for the grounds, and a dock with canoes is planned for the riverbank in front of the property.
Daniels says it will be a way to reclaim the space, and let people connect with the land and water.
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“At one time, they weren’t allowed to leave the grounds, and now it’s open and there’s freedom, and it’s just a way to relax,” she says.
The project is in its early stages. Daniels estimates it may take between 5 and 10 years to complete, and the museum will have to raise up to $30 million.
Watch the video above for the full story.
I am wondering if this news clip/video will be available on YouTube? As an educator, I would very much like to share this with my students. Although the article is very well written, the visual and audio pieces shown in the video would be more impactful for young people.
And all funded by…..you guessed it, taxpayers.
I also suspect it will not be balanced in its narrative. Lots of boo hoo, me poor indian, white man bad, gimme more wampum, ugh…
I prefer real museums
I know some rez schools were not ideal but many Aboriginals will tell you honestly that there is yoo much negative placed on them BTW – I know Portage & Birtle schools & many of the children who went there & to other schools as well very well. But who wants to hear positives? That doesn’t give big payouts & sympathy!!
I hope they have a video of the people who graduated. The ones who learned English, and gained the ability to function and work. I hope the natives pay the money for this out of their own pockets. Canada has spent enough providing the education that the natives insisted as part of their treaty rights.
Journalists need to quit referring to attendees as survivors. For many it was enough food, a safe place to sleep, clean clothes. They enjoyed the time spent at school.