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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MORGAN WALLEN
THIS SIDE OF A DUST CLOUD
03:41 PM |
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HUNTER BROTHERS
EL DORADO
03:38 PM |
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DOUG MCCORMICK
GOOD BEERS LEFT
03:34 PM |
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THE SWON BROTHERS
LATER ON
03:30 PM |
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DAVID NAIL
GOOD AT TONIGHT
03:27 PM |
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STEVE MOAKLER
SUITCASE
03:23 PM |
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RAELYNN
FOR A BOY
03:20 PM |
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TIM HICKS
FOREVER REBELS
03:17 PM |
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SUGARLAND
RUN
03:11 PM |
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LINDSAY ELL
TRIPPIN ON US
03:08 PM |
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MORGAN WALLEN - THIS SIDE OF A DUST CLOUD
