(Nigel maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Memorial

‘These children matter’: memorial at Prince Albert City Hall for the 215

May 31, 2021 | 10:46 AM

Dozens of small shoes and boots, along with flowers and small stuffed toys, have been laid at the steps of Prince Albert City Hall.

The memorial is in direct tribute to the 215 children, whose remains were found last week at a Kamloops area residential school. Natanis Sanderson, a third year student at the First Nations University, is pursuing a degree in social work and is the one responsible for the emotional tribute.

“Hearing about the residental school in B.C, really opened my eyes, and opened a lot of other peoples’ eyes,” she said.

After similar initiatives done in Regina and Saskatoon, Sanderson made a post to social media.

“I told my friends I wish Prince Albert would do this and one ot my friends encouraged me to do it,” she said.

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(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Sanderson also had family members who attended residential schools, and said the story out of Kamloops hit very close to home. Some of those same family members donated items for the memorial.

“It makes me feel really good because not only am I doing it for myself but for my family and for all indigenous people all throughout Canada,” she said. “These children matter.”

Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne told paNOW he was shocked when he heard the story of the young residential school students, and confirmed all city flags will be lowered to half mast.

“I’m looking art the memorial, it’s right outside my window, and I think it’s very classy, very professional and I think it really helps to get the message across,” he said.

The Department of Canadian Heritage has also confirmed flags at all federal buildings and establishments across Canada would be lowered until further notice “in memory of the thousands of children who were sent to residential schools, for those who never returned and in honour of the families whose lives were forever changed.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell