This quilt has not been seen since April 12. (Submitted photo/ Prince Albert Public Library)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Residential school memorial quilt stolen from Prince Albert Public Library

May 11, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Nearly a month has passed since a residential school memorial quilt was stolen from the Prince Albert Public Library, and has not been recovered.

The theft occurred on April 12 and library director Alex Juorio confirmed the “Journey Home” quilt was officially placed in the library gallery on Jan. 26, 2023.

“The library receives 125,000 visits a year, so for us it was a way we could assist the community in the effort to educate people about residential schools and do something active to further the goals of truth and reconciliation. It’s tragic that the quilt was stolen because it was doing an important job in the community. We’d like it returned so it can continue to do its job of making people aware of the damage done by the residential school system,” he said.

Gail Kenzle Taylor is the person responsible for making the quilt and had initially donated it to the Calvary United Church, who in turn donated to the library. Juorio confirmed they have cameras in the gallery and at the library entrance and have excellent quality images of the thief.

“We have sent these pictures to the Prince Albert Police Service who are investigating. Our security staff are confident that they also know the individuals name and we have supplied that to the police,” he said.

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According to a statement provided for paNOW, Gail Kenzle Taylor hoped the quilt would strike up conversations with people to help us move towards reconciliation. She also described how when she first saw the panel that is in this wall hanging, she was overcome with many feelings.

“The feeling of sadness for the children that were taken from their families and put into the Residential school system. Feelings of sorrow for those children that never made it back home. Feelings of gratefulness for having the privilege of being raised by my parents, being able to live with my siblings and being raised in my community. This is something so many of us have taken for granted,” she said.

Karen Erickson was the person who created the panel out of reverence to those grieving and the printing depicts two siblings who were finally set free after being grimly discovered at a Residential school.

The children who are shown holding hands were torn apart from each other, but now reunited as they make their way back home. Karen included beautiful imagery such as a moon and feathers to represent the First Nation, Inuit and Metis people joining together to guide the two siblings home.

Anyone with information about the missing quilt, is encouraged to contact the Prince Albert Police Service.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell