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Remembering The Children

Each year on June 11, the City of Red Deer acknowledges Remembering the Children Day. This day has a special place in the hearts of many at Sunnybrook United who remember our piece of this story, and our connection with the Remembering the Children Society. The Society was established in 2011 to honour and remember the children who attended Indian
Residential Schools in Alberta, and who died and were buried at these schools.

This stone that sits in the corner of our Sanctuary, was a gift to Sunnybrook United for supporting the research into the missing children, and relocating the unmarked graves. This stone is from the dismantling of the residential school in Red Deer. It serves as a reminder of the trauma that occurred, so that we may never forget the atrocities, nor the generational trauma still experienced by so many indigenous families.

The stand for the stone was built by Sam DenHaan and bears the inscription: “A Stone from Red Deer Indian Industrial School 1892-1919. Remember – Forgive – Reconcile.” Those final three words offer us the reason why it is important for us to continue remembering the children each year. We acknowledge the brokenness of the past so that we might learn, seek forgiveness, and work toward a new and just relationship with indigenous communities.

This year the sharing circle for Remembering the Children Day was held at Sunnybrook because the air quality prohibited an extended gathering at the Red Deer Cemetery. We heard many stories of personal and family trauma, which is the tragic legacy of the residential schools. As always, simply bearing witness to these stories is very impactful. Even though there is
much work that lies before us still, there are also signs of hope as indigenous languages and customs are reclaimed and celebrated. Thank you Lyle Keewatin Richards, Pat Marcellus, and the members of the Remembering the Children Society, for keeping this story before us so that we might imagine a more hopeful future.

Peace and joy,

Nancy