Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, and Lean Man First Nation chief and council are among those gathered outside the St. Mary's Oblate Residence. The First Nation purchased the Oblate residence and property located next to the former Battleford Industrial Residential School site. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Historic Occasion for First Nation

Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head and Lean Man First Nation purchases Oblate property

Jul 29, 2020 | 2:34 PM

This is a proud moment for Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, and Lean Man First Nation (MGBHLM).

They officially purchased the St. Mary’s Oblate Residence and the Oblate-owned property, located near the ruins of the former Battleford Industrial Residential School site which used to operate out of Old Government House.

The First Nation plans to convert the Oblate building into its own business centre and a training and employment facility.

Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman said this is a great step forward for the First Nation.

“It’s a really exciting time historically for our nation to share our story,” she said.

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An interpretive centre is also planned for the future.

“That is going to be part of the facility, telling the history, but also the language, culture, utilizing our elders, and building that capacity within our own nation,” Aguilar-Antiman said. “With the leadership right now, that has been the main focus — building capacity. We see a vision for it moving forward. We want to utilize our membership, whether they are working in the trades as an electrician, a plumber, [or] building the houses.”

In total the First Nation purchased the Oblate’s 138 acres of land that includes, in addition to the multi-room residence, several other buildings on the property, the priests’ cemetery and the religious grotto, from the Oblates. The cost to purchase the property was $1.1 million, while the value is estimated at $1.4 million. The size of the two-level Oblate residence that will be turned into the First Nation business, training and employment centre is estimated at roughly 10,000 square feet.

MGBHLM First Nation CEO Gloria Lee said she is honoured to be able to help the venture “come into full vision – with the community, the leadership here and the board of directors.”

Economic Development Business Specialist Henry “Grant” Beaudry Jr. said his grandmother, Marie Spyglass, used to attend the former residential school near the site, so the area has particular significance for him and the First Nation.

Oblate Rev. Maurice Schroeder said he appreciates seeing the First Nation acquisition of the land as a forward move, reflecting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, and promoting dialogue with the First Nation people – spiritually, culturally and historically.

MGBHLM First Nation Senator and Elder Jenny Spyglass said the purchase is a positive step for the First Nation people.

She said the MGBHLM First Nation’s new acquisition will also be a place for healing, and to educate the youth.

“I’m so honoured, and I’m so happy because this is our land in the first place, and it’s a historical site,” Spyglass said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW