Photo courtesy of Manfred Joehnck
A tiny residential school cemetery on the western outskirts of Regina will be designated as provincial heritage property.
The official ceremony is expected to take place later this summer. The announcement was made today as part of the government’s commitment to recognize and celebrate National Aboriginal Day Wednesday.
Parks and Culture Minister, Ken Cheveldayoff, says the cemetery needs to be recognized, remembered and understood as part of our shared history.
The minister responsible for First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs, Donna Harpauer, is encouraging everyone to participate in community events celebrating National Aboriginal Day. She says Aboriginal people are a fundamental part of our province’s history, diversity and identity.
National Aboriginal Day was first proclaimed in 1996.
Saskatchewan NDP MP, Georgina Jolibois, has tabled a private members bill in an effort to have the day declared a statutory holiday.