Hundreds of backpacks laid at Sask. Legislature to mark discovery of unmarked graves

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

Organizer Prairie Crowe hopes that a display of 751 backpacks at the Saskatchewan Legislature on Canada Day will provide the province with a stark illustration of the unmarked graves recently found at the former Marieval Indian Residential School.

"I think that number, 751, just sticks with a lot of people," she told CBC News on Monday.

"[It's] just to symbolize them and show the number just to have a visual impact."

Crowe isa community advocate and activist who grew up on thePiapot First Nation. She's soliciting donations of used or newbackpacksand other school supplies for the memorial.

Crowe's efforts were sparked by the recent findings at or near the sites of former residential schools.

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In May theTk'emlps te SecwpemcFirst Nation inBritish Columbia announced the discovery of what are believed to be theunmarked burial sitesof children's remains near the site of the former KamloopsIndian Residential School.

Last week, the Cowessess First Nation announced preliminary results of ground-penetrating radar searches at the site of theformerMarieval school,which operatedfrom1899 to 1997, approximately 140 kilometres east of Regina.

It said 751 unmarked graves had been discovered.

Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools, part of a structured planthat theTruth and Reconcilliation Commission describedas "a far-reaching system by which the federal government sought to regulate Aboriginal life."

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The backpacks are not Crowe's first attempt to highlight the recent discoveries.She previously laid hundreds of shoes on the legislature's steps in the wake of the discovery in Kamloops.

After theMarievaldiscovery, people asked if she was planning another action.

Through donations,Crowe had been able to collect approximately 150 backpacks as of Monday morning.

With messages still coming in asking how they can help, she's expecting to receive many more.

"I don't know if we'll reach our goal, but we're definitely working on it," Crowe said.

By Monday evening many of the already donated backpacks had been placed on the steps of the legislature.

She's encouraging anyone planning to donate to place the bags alongsidethose already there.

The goal is to donate the backpacks and supplies to community organizations, which will distribute them to families and children who need themon reserves or inRegina for the upcoming school year.

Supportis available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools, and those who are triggered by these reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to providesupportfor residential school survivorsand others affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.