An update on a permanent memorial for residential school survivors, an Indigenous gathering place and other reports are on the agenda
Calgary city council is expected to receive several Indigenous-focused recommendations and updates from administration on Monday.
The agenda includes an update on the permanent memorial for residential school survivors, which is expected to be complete in the third quarter of 2025.
A permanent memorial was first conceptualized after the potential remains of 200 children were found at a former residential school near Kamloops, B.C.; currently, a temporary memorial sits on the steps of City Hall.
Five Indigenous-led design teams for the memorial are to be announced by the end of October, according to the report.
“It has been a long time coming. I appreciate everyone’s patience as we made sure that we got this memorial right,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek in September 2023.
According to the city, the report is named after an Indigenous student, Jack White Goose Flying, who died in 1899 from tuberculosis while attending the St. Dunstan’s Indian Industrial School.
“The annual reports show that while The City has made progress on numerous Calls to Action, there is still more it can do to advance Truth and Reconciliation,” read the report. “Reconciliation is the responsibility of everyone.”
There’s also selecting a site for an Indigenous gathering place, which “administration continues to work towards,” according to the report.
“Administration is supporting the Indigenous Gathering Place Society, exploring possible locations for an Indigenous gathering place near the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers,” read a briefing. “This year, the focus has been on assessing the feasibility of developing the Indigenous gathering place at the Indigenous Gathering Place Society identified preferred location.”
— With files from Hiren Mansukhani and Postmedia