Search begins for children lost at Sturgeon Landing residential school – APTN news
Sep 23, 2024
A search is set to start Monday to identify potential unmarked graves associated with the residential school that operated in Sturgeon Landing, one of the communities that’s part of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) in northeastern Saskatchewan.
The Sturgeon Landing Residential School, run by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Saint Hyacinthe, began operations in 1926, officially opening in 1927. In a news release, PBCN said the school claimed to “save the nomadic Indian population from great poverty,” but the school caused deep harm by erasing the language, culture, and family ties of many Indigenous children.
“Sturgeon Landing holds deep scars for our community,” said PBCN Vice Chief Justiin Halcrow. “Many of our children were taken from their families, culture, and identities here. As we search for unmarked graves, we honour those who never returned and continue our path toward healing. Every child mattered, and we will ensure their stories are remembered, and their spirits honoured.”
