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Carlyle and White Bear will honour those who attended residential schools

The Town of Carlyle and White Bear First Nations have announced the installment of a permanent memorial dedicated to children lost to residential schools, as well as residential school survivors and their families.
Installment
National Indigenous Peoples Day

The Town of Carlyle and White Bear First Nations have announced the installment of a permanent memorial dedicated to children lost to residential schools, as well as residential school survivors and their families.

The announcement was made Monday afternoon during a ceremony held in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day. The memorial will be in Carlyle’s Centennial Park.

“Today, we recognize the injustices as we gather on these traditional lands and pledge to begin reconciliation with the guidance of our neighbors at White Bear First Nations,” said Carlyle Mayor Jennifer Sedor in a speech during the ceremony.

The memorial will be placed at the archway at the entrance to Centennial Park, “as a reminder to all those that pass under, to never forget those that have been forever impacted by the residential school system in Canada,” Sedor said.

Sedor was joined by Councillors Nicole Currie and Jared Riddell from Carlyle Town Council. Chief of White Bear First Nations Nathan Pasap was also in attendance, along with White Bear Councillors Tanya Littlechief, Debbie Maxie, Dez Standingready and Diette Kinistino, and Elders Michael Standingready and Nora Kikakaway.

“Reconciliation isn't just a word. Reconciliation is about action and by doing this, this is action ... a permanent memorial is very respectful,” Pasap said. “It's healing for our communities. You know, our communities have been intertwined for over 100 years and I just want to acknowledge that.”

This week's edition of the Observer will have more on this story.