The final steps to the construction of The Indian Residential School (IRS) Legacy Project are in sight with community consultation underway and the project entering its fourth and final phase.
The Culture and Heritage Committee is working with the Community of Sipekne’katik to secure a location for the commemoration site of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School (IRS).
Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Center (MDCC) Executive Director Tim Bernard told members of the Culture and Heritage Committee that the project is now in its final phase – implementation and commemoration. “We have carefully approached this important project that has seen engagement with Survivors, the designation of the formal school as a National Historic Site of Canada, a Gathering with Survivors and their descendants, and now plans for a Commemorative Site,” Tim said to committee members gathered at the Kluskap Ridge RV and Campground, on Sept. 10th.
Currently, the project is in a collaborative phase, with its proponents are seeking the continued support of the community.
The Sipekne’katik Band Council has requested a greater degree of consultation on the commemorative site, with more detailed information on the plans for the site relayed to community.
The Band also asked for clarification on how the project will fit into the community’s broader-spectrum economic development plans, as it undertakes additions to reserve land in the Shubenacadie-Sipekne’katik area near the Shubenacadie IRS site.
Over the past few months, a series of meetings have been held, and MDCC produced a promotional video for community with information on the project’s work and the purpose of the commemorative site.
Tim emphasized that the commemorative site alights with the Sipekne’katik Band’s broader economic development goals for the lands it owns and is acquiring, noting, “We’re pretty comfortable it’ll bring people.”
He is optimistic installation work will commence in Spring 2025.
In Spring 2024, Tim presented to the Sipekne’katik Band Council, giving its members a full overview of the project, bringing members up to date on its progress.
Final Steps
One of the remaining steps in the process is an environmental site assessment, following an already-complete archaeological assessment which found no evidence of burials or anything that would require it to be relocated.
Tim told committee members that the next phase hinges on securing permission from the Band to place the commemorative piece at the proposed site.
The project is supported with funding from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), the Tripartite Forum’s Project Fund and Parks Canada.
Site preparation will include raising the land with gravel to road level and protecting it against potential flooding.
Tim also advised committee members that the next step is another Survivors Gathering in Spring 2025.
Highlights
The four-phase IRS Legacy Project, championed and led by the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre, entails:
- Survivors Engagement Sessions across 11 communities to inform the design of the commemoration
- The establishment of a Survivors Advisory Circle, to guide the project
- Research into Missing Children and Burial sites
- A Survivors Healing Gathering
- The Designation of the location as a National Historic Site
- The development of commemorative art pieces by the Studio of Ursula Johnson.
