Brandon woman turns streets into a memorial for 215 lost children
A Brandon woman has turned some city streets into a memorial for the 215 children whose remains were found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.
Jordan Wilson, who is the granddaughter of a residential school survivor, said when she learned of the news of the unmarked graves, she knew she had to do something.
“I wanted to take an opportunity to voice for them and voice for those who don’t have a voice anymore,” she said.
Wilson said she builds for a living, so she felt that building 215 crosses was the best way she could commemorate the children.
In the end, with the help of dozens of other people, she set up the crosses at Victoria Avenue and 18th Street in Brandon.
“Two hundred and fifteen written down may seem like a small number when it’s written down with so many others, but when you put it in perspective, it’s completely astonishing,” she said.
“It took over all of Victoria Avenue in Brandon, a huge portion of 18th Street.”
Wilson noted that she was blown away by the number of people who helped with the memorial.
“I figured there would be a few people and a few would set them in place, but today it turned out to be a life-changing moment to walk with others and share that experience and honour those we lost, those we cherish, and those that survived,” she said.
CONTINUING THE SEARCH
Wilson said she believes other residential school sites need to be searched as well.
“We need to bring our children home,” she said.
Wilson added that it is sad to think how many graves will be found as more sites are searched.
“It’s so sad. I know the numbers are going to rise if they start searching other residential schools and they find more,” she said. “There could be tens of thousands of children being found.”
She said that once these searches begin, she will be taking on another project to honour the children.
“I want something set in stone, preferably concrete, but that’s still a work in progress,” she said.
TIES TO RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS
Wilson said her grandmother attended the residential school in Brandon.
“She went through some hardships,” she said, noting that her grandmother always said there were others who had it worse.
Wilson said both of her parents attended day school and said the same thing.
“They always made sure there was always a positive outlook for me and my sisters to look back on,” she said.
“But now that I’m starting to look back and hear more stories and hearing other things, it’s hard to see a positive side.”
- With files from CTV’s Mason DePatie.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.