The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is hosting a sacred ceremony this week as it searches a former residential school site for unmarked graves.
A ground-penetrating radar search is set to start on Saturday morning at the urban reserve near downtown La Ronge – the location of the Lac La Ronge Indian Residential School that operated between 1907 and 1947.
The ceremony, which will take place Friday through Monday, includes equipment blessings, speakers, feasts and a four-day sacred fire.
According to research from the University of Regina, the school was operated by the Anglican Church of Canada.
The building burnt down in 1920 before the government rebuilt it.
It remained a fire hazard, though, being rebuilt with green lumber and defective chimneys and didn’t have the funding for upkeep. The school also didn’t have any fire escapes.
The building was ultimately destroyed by a fire in 1947, which was deliberately set by two boys. Students were then transferred to Prince Albert.
The research also documents a measles epidemic in 1937 that’s believed to have activated tuberculosis, causing the deaths of several students.
A tuberculosis specialist and Indian Agent criticized a lack of food – saying children “only receive Irish Bread and lard, oatmeal in the mornings and a little peanut butter once a week” – as well as poor ventilation and overcrowding.
Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said crews have already prepped the site for ground-penetrating radar.
A similar search got underway last weekend at the site of a former residential school in Delmas.
If you are a residential school survivor in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
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IN THIS MOMENT
AS ABOVE SO BELOW
05:12 PM |
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THEORY
STRANGERS
05:09 PM |
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NOTHING MORE
MR MTV
05:05 PM |
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THROUGH FIRE
IF YOU LOVE ME LEAVE ME
05:02 PM |
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WOLFMOTHER
VICTORIOUS
04:58 PM |
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KISS
LOVE GUN
04:53 PM |
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CREED
WEATHERED
04:48 PM |
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THE WINERY DOGS
CAPTAIN LOVE
04:41 PM |
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BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
OVER IT
04:37 PM |
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VAN HALEN
JUMP
04:33 PM |
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IN THIS MOMENT - AS ABOVE SO BELOW
