Prince Albert Grand Council: Woodland Chiefs discuss Timber Bay with Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister
Press Release
(Treaty 5, 6, 8 & 10) Prince Albert, SK – Woodland Chiefs continue to appeal to the federal government to recognize Timber Bay Children’s Home as a residential school.
On Friday, February 4th, Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council, Chief Joyce McLeod-Naytowhow of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Chief Karen Bird of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of Lac La Ronge Indian Band held a virtual meeting with Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller to revisit the longstanding issue of Timber Bay and seek the same federal compensation for survivors as those from other residential schools. Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Nations was also in attendance.
“We all left the meeting feeling confident that Minister Miller heard the voices of our Chiefs on this matter. For too long we have argued that Canada needs to assume responsibility of this institution, because the children were placed there away from the family by or under the authority of Canada for the purpose of education; and, that they were jointly or solely responsible for the operation of the residence and care of the children resident there,” said Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte.
In their remarks, the three Woodland Chiefs provided the minister with a background on the history of the school, arguments to be included into the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), including related constitutional issues.
“Since it opened in 1952, Timber Bay Children’s Home was a place where children were sent as overflow from Prince Albert Residential School and others in the area. For example, a brother began his road to reconciliation under the IRSSA; whereas, his sister who was sent away to Timber Bay is suspended in the continued trauma as we fight for recognition and reconciliation despite the obvious wrongs that occurred,” said Chief Joyce McLeod-Naytowhow.
“In fact, Canada’s authority and responsibility for children has not been diluted in any way over time,” said Chief Karen Bird of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. “Canada
maintained and has continued to maintain responsibility for the children who were sent off-reserve to Timber Bay Children’s Home for the purposes of education. To be denied this recognition is another abuse that these children continue to endure at the hands of the Canadian governments, “
“Based on the non-delegable fiduciary duty, owed by Canada, to protect the health and welfare of Indigenous children sent off-reserve for education pursuant to Treaty 6, the children that attended this institution are eligible for recognition, reconciliation, and compensation. We do not have to prove that this policy was wrong – we have to compensate for that wrongdoing,” said Chief Tammy Cook-Searson.
“Many First Nations children were forced to attend Timber Bay Children’s Home against their will and the wishes of their parents and communities,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “Hundreds of our children that attended this school faced the same genocide, the same atrocities, and the same abuses as the thousands of Indian Residential School survivors across our Treaty territories. We will not stop until they receive their rightful recognition and compensation.”
About Prince Albert Grand Council:
The Prince Albert Grand Council is one of the largest tribal councils in Canada with a membership of over 44,000, representing 12 First Nations and the 28 northern communities in the territories of Treaty 5, 6, 8 & 10. To learn more, visit pagc.sk.ca.
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Media enquiries may be directed to:
Tina Pelletier
Executive Office – Communications
Prince Albert Grand Council
Cell: 306-941-7120
Email: tpelletier@pagc.net
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