Hundreds of teddy bears placed in support of residential school victims and survivors
Alberta's Indigenous communities are remembering the children who lost their lives in the country's many residential schools with a poignant tribute.
Members of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation set up a display along Highway 1 on Friday.
Teddy bears and orange ribbon were tied to the fence in a show of support to victims and their families -- and to the millions still feeling the impact of the schools today.
"I know looking at the bad parts of history, nobody wants to do so," nation member and organizer Chris Goodstoney told CTV News. "But I feel that it brings justice to the victims that are still present today (and) acknowledges the suffering and the pain that they were put through. I'm hoping these bears will get people to ask questions."
At the end of May, remains of 215 children who were buried in unmarked graves were located near Canada’s largest residential school near Kamloops, B.C.
The original idea for the Alberta tribute was to put up 215 bears to signify the number of graves, but Goodstoney says he's "very confident" more remains will be found across Canada when proper searches are conducted.
That's why the tribute is now approaching 250 bears and why Goodstoney says it's growing every day.
Canada had 146 residential schools. At least 25 of them were in Alberta.
Stoney Nakoda members say more education around the country's treatment of Indigenous people is needed.
"Nobody is asking to change or rewrite Canadian history," Goodstoney said. "All we are requesting is acknowledgment, peace, respect and justice.
"Let's focus on healing our people. We all play a part in this."
The tribute is near the Highway 40 overpass.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.