'A powerful message': Alberta unveils new monument to honour residential school survivors
The province unveiled images of a new permanent statue to be placed on Alberta legislature grounds that will honour residential school survivors and the children that never made it home.
The new monument, which will form the centrepiece of the Reconciliation Garden, will be designed by Saddle Lake Cree Nation stone sculptor Stewart Steinhauer.
Titled Mother Earth Circling, the sculpture features Mother Earth holding a small figure, representing baby humanity cradled by the motherly figure of creation.
Steinhauer explained at the unveiling that the monument incorporates petroglyphic images from 8,000 years ago that predicted the coming of Europeans and the treaty process.
"This knowledge is still alive, in spite of a concerted effort to destroy this knowledge," he said. "It's really quite astonishing. The message is a powerful message."
It also contains symbols representing Inuit, First Nations, and Metis people, as well as bear claws, a symbol of healing.
For Steinhauer, stone carving is a way of storytelling but also a personal way to respond and grow from the trauma he experienced through his life.
"I was raised to not express emotions and really not to make an expression and not to talk," Steinhauer said. "And I think that the carving was a spontaneous way of making expression without talking."
Premier Jason Kenney said the location for the monument, at the site of the current seat of Alberta democracy and the historic Hudson's Bay Company Fort Edmonton outpost, will help to connect history.
Indigenous artist Stewart Steinhauer (left) and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney (right) unveil images of the new permanent statue that will be placed within the Reconciliation Garden on the Alberta legislature grounds (CTV News Edmonton/Brandon Lynch).
"That history has been a complicated and often sad and tragic history; it's one that more and more we are opening our eyes to," Kenney said. "A meeting of cultures which too often had a story of injustice and exploitation in it."
Kenney added that the monument and its unveiling on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will help to highlight historical wrongdoing but also highlight the strength of Indigenous Peoples.
"This day will not serve its purpose or the dignity of First Nations if it simply becomes a day of mourning because it must also be a celebration of resilience, the resilience of the Indigenous People overcoming adversity," he said.
Sheri Cunningham was a member of the Indigenous panel who screened artists' submissions for the new monument. She recalled how difficult it was to select which monument the province would commission from the seven short-listed submissions.
"Every single one had a narrative attached to it that was so compelling," Cunningham shared. "It was very heart-wrenching to read."
"There was something so beautiful and unique about every single one."
Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson highlighted that the Reconciliation Garden, alongside creating the provincial strategy for addressing missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, as all helping advance reconciliation in the province.
"Today, we take stock of where we came from and recognize that (with) our actions together, we can make healing possible," he said.
Wilson said he was proud that the province was now one step closer to fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action 82, creating a publicly accessible monument honouring residential school survivors.
"We know that learning the truth is central to reconciliation," Wilson added. "The truth will not only help us remember but help us to look forward and focus on future generations to strengthen their potential for success."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.