The federal government is providing funding for education and awareness of the legacy of Residential Schools in the Saskatoon area.
Over the next year, nearly $370,000 will be provided to the Saskatoon Tribal Council to support these kinds of activities.
Ottawa made the announcement on Thursday morning.
“Education is the key to understanding the truth and the devastating legacy of residential schools,” said Canada’s Indigenous Relations Minister Mark Miller in a media release. “I encourage all Canadians to learn and participate in awareness events like those organized by the Saskatoon Tribal Council and other Indigenous organizations across the country; it is an important step towards building a reconciled country.”
The STC says part of the funding will go toward a possible memorial garden in the city.
Also, the funding will be used to support other activities including the Orange Banner Project, which is a collection of banners in the city exploring themes of reconciliation.
“Speaking the truth about reconciliation is the first step, along with that truth comes education and action,” STC Chief Mark Arcand. “We must have truth before reconciliation. Honouring our survivors through this project and having the federal government support a great initiative in the City of Saskatoon shows a commitment to improve the lives of indigenous people that have been affected by residential schools.”
(PHOTO: Tribal Chief Mark Arcand outside the STC Wellness Centre in December 2021)
A National Residential School Crisis Line offers emotional support and crisis referral services for residential school Survivors and their families. Call the toll-free Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.