Office of Chief and Council
Government of Siksika
P.O. Box 1100 Siksika, AB T0J 3W0 (403) 734-5109 Ι Toll Free 1-800-551-5724 www.siksikanation.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Siksika Nation Chief and Council organizes a tribute to Residential School Nation Members
Siksika Nation (June 28, 2021) Siksika Nation Chief and Council has organized a tribute on July 1st, 2021 for Siksika Nation members who attended Indian Residential Schools (I.R.S.), that will include a blessing at the two former Indian Residential School sites located in Siksika and opening address from leadership and invited guest Chief Cadmus Delorme from Cowessess First Nation.
The discovery of the 215 child remains at the Kamloops Indian Residential School and the 751 unmarked graves in Cowessess First Nation has urged many First Nations to come forward including Siksika Nation. Since the first discovery there has been a total of 1,333 remains of children recovered on Residential School properties.
The half day agenda is open to the public and will begin at 9:00 am at the Old Crowfoot School location with opening remarks from Siksika Nation Chief and Council, a blessing of this first site, and a survivor address from Siksika Nation members; former Councillor Ruth Scalplock and elder Clement Leather. The convoy will start at 10:15 am from the old Crowfoot School location and will proceed to Old Sun Community College where another blessing will take place with survivor addresses from Siksika Nation members Dr. Vivian Ayoungman and Chief Vincent Yellow Old Woman. As well, invited guest Chief Cadmus Delorme will also address Siksika Nation.
Attendees are invited to wear orange in honour of all Children, past or present, or those who have rites to wear a headdress, please do. Refreshments will be available in the morning and a bagged lunch will be provided at the Old Sun location. Great care is being taken to ensure the safety of all – including ensuring public health protocols are being followed. Attendees are encouraged to prepare for the extreme heat, and are encouraged to hydrate often.
In a separate internal process, Siksika Nation Chief and Council are working with ground-penetrating radar technicians to carry out the work in Siksika and are taking great measures to ensure it is done in a respectful and culturally appropriate way. This is happening at a separate time and is not open to the public or media. A statement will be released in the coming weeks to address the findings. Siksika Nation Chief and Council is asking for respect and privacy at this time for Siksika Nation members regarding this matter, as it’s been an extremely hard time for everyone involved.
A press conference with Chief and Council will follow the tribute.
Media inquiries please contact:
Siksika Nation Chief and Council Communications
Lynn Calf Robe
Email: lynncr@siksikanation.com
