Regina residential school cemetery gets provincial heritage status

For the first time, a residential school cemetery site in Saskatchewan has a provincial heritage designation.

The government made the announcement Wednesday at the site of the Regina Indian Industrial School, which operated as a residential school for Indigenous children from 1891-1910.

At least 38 children are buried at the site, located west of Regina on Pinkie Road.

• Smudge ceremony honours children in cemetery by old Regina Indian Industrial School

The announcement and smudge ceremony brought Janine Windolphto tears. Thepresident of the Regina Indian Industrial Schoolcommemorative associationhas been attending walks and events to raise awareness about the cemetery for years.

"It's a positive tears. It's a long journey, so you definitely feel that weight being lifted today," said Windolph.

The government said the provincial designation is intended to recognize and pay tribute to the young children who lost their lives at the school.

"There was a special feeling here today ... I think now there certainly is closure," said Ken Cheveldayoff, provincial minister of parks, culture and sport.

Cheveldayoff saidthe ministry is open to giving heritage status to other residential school cemeteries around the province, should people request it.

Moving forward

The new designation protects the site, which belongs to a private landowner, from being altered, unless provincial and municipal approval is granted.

The cemetery received municipal heritage status in September 2016.

Members of thecommemorative associationsaid they are also seeking federal heritage status, although they believe that could take up to two years.

• Regina approves heritage status for cemetery at former Indian Industrial School

In the meantime, the commemorative group said it wants to fix some of the more immediate issues, like repairing the fence and extending it so that six unmarked graves are included within the recognized area.

• MORE SASKATCHEWAN NEWS |Saskatchewan hasn't seen a cent in PST from Amazon.ca
• MORE SASKATCHEWAN NEWS |Pricey pot could fuel black market trade: Regina police chief