Local

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Stained-glass window unveiled as reminder of residential schools experience

By: Mia Rabson

Posted: 11/26/2012 11:36 AM | Comments: 0

OTTAWA – Every time an MP enters or exits Centreblock on Parliament Hill, they will now be reminded of the legacy of residential schools.

A stained-glass window commemorating the legacy and Canada's 2008 apology was unveiled this morning. The window sits overtop the MPs’ entrance to Centreblock, and is prominently seen from the Foyer outside the House of Commons.

The Foyer is one of the most commonly seen spaces on the Hill, as it is where media scrums and interviews most often take place.

"This window signifies hope," said Christi Belcourt, the artist who designed the window.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan commissioned the piece more than a year ago. A committee made up of residential school survivors and aboriginal art experts chose from the designs submitted, and Duncan unveiled the winning design in June, on the fourth anniversary of the apology to survivors of the residential schools.

Residential schools were run by the churches for the federal government in a program designed to assimilate aboriginal children. More than 150,000 aboriginal children were forcibly taken from their families and enrolled in the schools between the late 1880s and the early 1980s. Many students later spoke of horrific physical, psychological and sexual abuse in the schools. The separation of children from their families and the abuses suffered are still blamed for many of the social problems facing aboriginal Canadians today.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an apology on behalf of the government of Canada to residential school survivors in 2008. A compensation package for survivors was also issued.

Duncan said this morning the window is a powerful piece of art.

"This window is a beautiful and powerful reminder of the residential schools experience," he said.

Belcourt used the opportunity of her speech at the unveiling to remind the government of its obligation to aboriginal people and asked for it to ensure the health of aboriginal communities for generations to come. She said it’s not about money, but about reconciliation and encouraged movement on issues such as aboriginal language protection, resource revenue sharing and a national public inquiry into the disappearance and murder of hundreds of aboriginal women.

A description of the window can be found on the government website. http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1332859355145/1332859433503

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.