Content warning: The following content deals with the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools.
September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. Today, Glenbow honours the survivors of residential schools and remembers those who did not come home.
This day is dedicated to acknowledging the painful legacy of residential schools in Canada, in which more than 150,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in schools that systematically sought to force assimilation and destroy Indigenous cultures. These schools, which were funded by the Canadian government and run by Christian churches, operated for more than 150 years (1831 – 1996). Poor conditions and abuse were widespread, and it is currently estimated that more than 7,200 children died. The exact number of deaths is not currently known, as unmarked graves continue to be found at former residential school sites through the use of ground-penetrating radar.
Residential schools have had a profound and enduring impact on Indigenous communities, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure this history is acknowledged, understood, and honoured. In observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we’re sharing a selection of arts and crafts made by children who attended St. Peter’s: a residential school that was operational in what is currently known as Alberta from 1895 – 1932.
These arts and crafts, which include a letter holder, gloves, moccasins, a thimble case, a bookmark, and a book cover, were made as “gifts” for the school’s principal. They were donated to Glenbow in 2002. By sharing these belongings, we honour the children who made them and reflect on their resilience and strength.
St. Peter’s was one of six residential schools in what is currently known as the Lesser Slave Lake area. In 2022, 169 potential graves were found at the former site of another school in the area: the Grouard school, also known as St. Bernard’s.
Currently, the names of two children who did not come home from St. Peter’s are known. We remember their names and the dates of their passing:
- Minnie Boucher (October 5, 1927)
- George William Ouellette (February 21, 1919)
The ongoing impacts and intergenerational trauma of the residential school system are still deeply felt today, and everyone has a part to play in truth and reconciliation. By confronting the past, we invite our community to reflect on their own roles, responsibilities, and paths toward healing.
We encourage all to participate in truth and reconciliation by learning from and supporting Indigenous organizations in Treaty 7 and beyond. To learn more about local events happening on September 30, we recommend The City of Calgary’s Orange Shirt Day events listing.
