Siksika Nation Chief and Council organizes a tribute to Residential School Nation Members

Siksika Nation (June 28, 2021) Siksika Nation Chief and Council organized a tribute on July 1st, 2021 for Siksika Nation members who attended Indian Residential Schools (I.R.S.) The half day agenda included a blessing at two former Indian Residential School sites located in Siksika, a convoy, an opening address from Chief Ouray Crowfoot and invited guest Chief Cadmus Delorme from Cowessess First Nation as well as residential school survivors address from Ruth Scalplock, Clement Leather, Vincent Yellow Old Woman and Dr. Vivian Ayoungman.

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 tribute was open to the public and included members from the community and visitors from neighbouring communities who gathered together at 9:00 am outside the Holy Trinity Catholic Church at the location of the St. Josephs Indian Residential School. The convoy included a procession of cars, led by Chief and Council, from the old Crowfoot School location and to Old Sun Community College, which was another residential school in Siksika.

Attendees came out wearing orange in honour of all Children, past or present despite the heat wave. Siksika Nation Chief and Council would like to thank all those who came out to support the tribute including staff, volunteers and visitors.