Temporary Residential Schools Memorial in Calgary to Be Decommissioned Next Weekend
While a permanent monument dedicated to the victims and survivors of Canada's Indian Residential Schools remains several years from completion in Calgary, the temporary memorial currently situated in front of city hall is scheduled for respectful decommissioning next weekend. This significant transition marks a pivotal moment in the city's ongoing reconciliation efforts.
Ceremonial Walk to Transfer Spirit to Permanent Site
A ceremonial walk will take place next Friday, coinciding with the spring equinox, to formally transfer the spirit of the temporary memorial to The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland. This location, formerly known as Fort Calgary, will serve as the future home for the permanent outdoor monument called The Wandering Spirit.
The walk will commence at 10:30 a.m. from city hall, with participants carrying 215 tobacco ties in solemn remembrance. "The ceremony that is happening is really the transfer of the spirit," explained Blair Cunningham, Indigenous cultural development co-ordinator at the museum. "That spirit will be brought over to The Confluence."
Origins of the Temporary Memorial
The temporary memorial was originally established on the steps of Calgary's municipal building in 2021, created in response to the heartbreaking discovery made through ground-penetrating radar. This technology identified the potential remains of 215 children at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia.
The memorial has since become a sacred gathering place featuring:
- Rows of shoes symbolizing the children who never returned home
- Stuffed animals representing lost childhoods
- Candles illuminating the path toward healing and remembrance
City's Commitment to Respectful Transition
City officials have emphasized their dedication to handling this transition with utmost care and respect. "Our priority is the people at the heart of the Spirit of the Indian Residential School Memorial: survivors, their families and Indigenous community members," the city stated in an official communication.
The city further noted that this represents "a sacred and deeply emotional moment" for many community members, emphasizing their commitment to "protecting that space and proceeding in a way that is guided by community and grounded in care."
Timeline for Permanent Monument Construction
According to Cunningham, the construction groundbreaking for the permanent memorial remains approximately 18 months away, with completion anticipated between 2028 and 2029. Several factors contribute to this extended timeline:
- A historic resource impact assessment is currently underway due to the site's proximity to the former Fort Calgary
- Comprehensive consultation with Indigenous groups requires substantial time and careful consideration
- The permanent monument will be constructed on city-owned land near the Bow River pathway
The day following the ceremonial walk, city workers will respectfully decommission the temporary memorial at city hall, marking the conclusion of one chapter while preparing for the establishment of a lasting tribute to residential school victims and survivors at The Confluence.
