The province is seeking Indigenous artists to design a monument in memory of children who died at residential schools.
In recommendation #82 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, all provinces and territories were urged to create monuments in each capital to memorialise the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children who did not return home from federally-funded and church-run institutions.
“This healing and education memorial will be open to anyone visiting the Alberta legislature grounds,” said minister of Indigenous relations Rick Wilson.
Expressions of interest are welcome from any Indigenous artist or artist-led team, collective or partnership living in Alberta. Recent familial connections to Alberta First Nations or the Metis Settlements and Métis Nation Regions are required.
“The memorial matters because of where we have journeyed and who we are. This is to never forget the residential school experience,” said Elder Bert Auger of the Whitefish First Nation.
Up to $1-million has been set aside for the completion of this project. The application deadline is July 29, 2022, at 2 p.m. The chosen artist is expected to be announced this fall. More details can be found here.
A total of 25 federally funded, church-run residential schools operated in Alberta between 1862 and 1988.