The president of the Regina Indian Industrial School (RIIS) Commemorative Association says the RCMP land transfer and Tuesday’s ceremony are the first steps in reconciliation. Sarah Longman explains that the land transfer is the first of its kind, where privately held lands that previously belonged to the residential school are being transferred to the commemorative group.
It is believed at least 35 children were buried there after they died while attending the industrial school. The RCMP owned the hay fields adjacent to the land where the residential school stood and proposed a land swap with the private owner, and then handed the land over to the commemorative association. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki says giving up the land is the right thing to do.
The Regina Indian Industrial School was one of many residential schools in Saskatchewan. Over 500 First Nations and Metis children attended the school from across the prairies. (ckrm)