Convent of Holy Angels Indian Residential School around 1930
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) has voted unanimously to erect a monument honouring Indigenous children who attended the Convent of Holy Angels Indian Residential School.
The Holy Angels school was founded in 1874 at Fort Chipewyan. The school moved to a new school building in 1881, which was enlarged in 1898, 1904, and 1907. A new school opened in 1944 and in the 1950s a day school operated out of the residential school. Many of the students at the school were Métis or non-Aboriginal. The school closed in 1974.
According to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, 89 children died at the school.
Dennis Fraser, Director of Indigenous and Rural Relations with RMWB spoke with CFWE saying the monument would serve as a tribute to the resilience of survivors and a solemn reminder of the lives lost that are resting in unmarked graves,
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Fraser adds that RMWB is working together with leadership groups from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, and Fort Chipewyan Metis.
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The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo will not lead in the erection of the monument as the project will be community-led by leadership, Elders, and survivors of Fort Chipewyan. The time slated for the monument is to be determined by Fort Chipewyan.
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The national Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for survivors and those affected. People can access support services by calling the 24-hour service at 1-866-925-4419.
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