Lemay Forest: Sacred site under threat

Fort Garry

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/02/2025 (253 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Province of Manitoba has committed substantial resources to search for human remains at the Prairie Green Landfill, a vital step towards reconciliation. This investment, focused on finding and identifying the remains of Indigenous women, underscores the province’s commitment to healing and addressing the past. It must thus also apply the same level of urgency to the protection of sacred spaces such as Lemay Forest, which may also contain the remains of Indigenous children and is under directly threat of destruction.

Lemay Forest, located in St. Norbert, is not just a vital environmental space, it is also a cultural site for Métis and other Indigenous communities. For over 30 years, the forest had been a place for spiritual practices, including sweat lodge ceremonies. It is also home to the Asile Ritchot Cemetery, believed to be the burial site of many children who died at the Asile Ritchot orphanage. Research indicates that between 1,288 and 2,000 children may have passed away there due to overcrowding and neglect. Despite the forest’s cultural and historical importance, it is now being cleared for a proposed housing development.

In the face of this threat, the provincial government has several options to act and protect this irreplaceable site:

• Issue notice of intent to designate Lemay Forest a heritage site – Under the Heritage Resources Act, the government has the authority to designate areas of cultural, historical, or environmental significance for protection. Lemay Forest clearly meets these criteria. Designating the forest as a heritage site would halt further destruction and ensure its preservation for future generations.

• Conduct a thorough heritage resource impact assessment – If the government is serious about understanding the full significance of Lemay Forest, it must conduct a comprehensive heritage resource impact assessment, which will provide vital insight into the potential presence of human remains and other culturally significant elements.

• Collaborate with Indigenous leaders and local organizations – Reconciliation requires meaningful collaboration. The provincial government must work closely with Indigenous leaders and local organizations to ensure that protection of Lemay Forest aligns with broader goals of reconciliation. By engaging with the Métis community and other Indigenous groups, the government can develop a plan that honours both the spiritual and historical value of the forest while respecting the needs of those who have relied on it for generations.

• Explore the purchase of Lemay Forest – Several organizations, including the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy and the Manitoba Métis Federation have expressed interest in purchasing the land to preserve it. The provincial government should support efforts to secure funding to enable to purchase of the land. This would ensure long-term protection and demonstrate the province’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

The province now has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to reconciliation, cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. By taking immediate action to protect Lemay Forest, the government will show that it values both the land and the history it holds.