Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School Survivors to show support

February 21, 2023 – On the heels of the launch of a new class action suit against the federal and provincial governments, Survivors of the Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School are invited to come together in Saskatoon next month in a show of support for each other and their fight for recognition.

The Survivors’ Gathering is March 24 – 26 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. It will bring together all those with lived and shared experiences and traumas from their years at residential school. If space allows, the Gathering is also open to Day School and intergenerational survivors.

In operation for more than 100-years, the Île-à-la-Crosse Residential School saw generations of Métis children taken from their loving homes, forced to live in an institution whose sole purpose was to assimilate and colonialize the young. The children were made to speak a language they didn’t understand and practice foreign cultural traditions.

With the support of Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S), the Survivors’ Gathering will feature a variety of break-out sessions over the three-days with Keynote speakers and legal experts to update the recent Survivors’ Committee class-action.

MN–S Vice President Michelle LeClair said, “We need to and are here to support our Métis residential school survivors. We are losing more of them every day and time is of the essence. We have to send a clear and concise message on their behalf to both the federal and provincial governments that they need to acknowledge the survivor’s in a meaningful way and in a way that leaves a legacy.”

The gathering will be spiritual and healing in nature and will also send a clear message to the federal and provincial governments about their united front when it comes to recognizing the Métis school experience. By coming together, Survivors have the opportunity to form deep bonds with others to help positively influence their emotional wellbeing.

The media is invited to join Survivors on the opening day of the Gathering, Friday, March 24 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. More details to follow.

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About the Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School Steering Committee:

The Île-à-la-Crosse Boarding School Steering Committee Inc. is comprised of 12 board members representing twenty communities in Northwest Saskatchewan. The committee has been actively advocating for Survivors of the Ile a la Crosse Boarding School for over twenty years. Founding members of the committee include Antoinette Lafleur, Emile Janvier, Margaret Aubichon, and Duane Favel.

About Métis Nation–Saskatchewan:

Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) is built on a foundation of Métis identity, culture, values and language. Empowered by the Métis citizens of Saskatchewan, MN–S works to advance Métis rights and strengthen capacity. MN–S represents the political, socioeconomic, cultural and educational interests of more than 80,000 Métis in the province through an elected representative system at local, regional and provincial levels. Social Media Links: @MNSask, @metisnationsask

For media inquiries:

Rena Montgomerie – MN–S Senior Communications Officer r.montgomerie@mns.work or 306-250-1092

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