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50 years after closing, the Government of Canada and the Long Plain Nation honored the national historical importance of the former Indian Portage boarding school La Prairie English

This commemoration constitutes an important part of the response of the government of Canada At the call for action 79 of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Portage La Prairie, Mb, August 14, 2025 / CNW/ – The former Indian boarding school of Portage La Prairie was part of the residential school system for indigenous children set up officially by the federal government during the 19th and 20th centuries. Born of colonial policies in the history of Canadathis system withdrew the indigenous children from their communities and not only deprived them of their traditions, their language and their culture, but these institutions also exposed them to serious damages, even to death. The residential system is a tragedy that has had harmful effects on generations of indigenous peoples and the government of the government Canada engaged on the path of reconciliation with the indigenous peoples and the establishment of a renewed relationship with these, based on the recognition of rights, respect, collaboration and partnership.

Today, Ginette Lavackparliamentary secretary of the Minister of Aboriginal Services and Member of Parliament for Saint-BonifaceSaint-Vital, Manitobaand the Long Plain First Nation commemorated the national historical importance of the former Indian Portage Step Prairie during a special ceremony during which three plaques were revealed to the indigenous national residential school museum of Canada (National Museum of Aboriginal boarding schools of Canada). The announcement was made on behalf of the Honorable Steven GuilbeaultMinister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for official languages.

Built in 1914-1915, the former Indian boarding school of Portage La Prairie is located in the Keeshkeemaquah reserve, which is part of the reserve lands of the Long Plain Nation. The designation of the historic place of this building was proposed by the First Nation of Long Plain Who worked in collaboration with Parks Canada to determine the historical values of this former boarding school.

This large three -story brick building is one of the rare remaining examples of the Aboriginal residential schools established through the Canada. The boarding school closed in 1975. Six years later, the building and the surrounding land was sold at the Long Plain Nation in order to partially fulfill their land rights from treaties. Since then, the former boarding school has acquired a new meaning as a place of resilience and commemoration which preserves the inheritance of the era of Aboriginal boarding schools and makes it possible to educate the public.

Through the premises and historic monuments of the Canadathe government of Canada Commemorate the important characters, places and events that have shaped our country to help Canadians as well as young people to get closer to their past. The commemoration process is largely based on public appointments. To date, more than 2,270 designations have been made.

Citations

“Fifty years ago, the former Indian boarding school of Portage La Prairie closed its doors, ending a painful chapter in our common history. However, the families of Portage La Prairie And communities across the country still feel today the consequences caused by the System of Indian boarding schools. On the occasion of this anniversary, we pay tribute to the strength and resilience of the survivors, we mourn those who have never returned home and again commit to continuing the path to truth and reconciliation. »»
L’honorable Rebecca Alty,
Minister of Couronne-Anterochton Relations

“Today, we take the time to recognize the painful inheritance of the old portage boarding school La Prairie and the harmful and sustainable consequences as this establishment, and many others of the same type as part of the residential system, have had generations of family and communities of First Nations, Inuit and MĂ©tis. We hope that this commemoration will encourage Canadians to think about this tragic story, to recognize the past, to honor missing children and to recognize the extraordinary strength and resilience of survivors and all indigenous peoples. The government of Canada has undertaken to ensure that the voice of indigenous peoples is heard and that this story is never forgotten ”.
Ginette Lavack,
Parliamentary secretary of the Minister of Aboriginal services and deputy for Saint-BonifaceSaint-VitalManitoba

“Today, we pay tribute to the indigenous survivors of the former Indian boarding school Portage La Prairiewhich was exploited from 1915 to 1975. Plates are symbols of resilience and strength. They present stories rooted in the truth and honor the spirits. These commemorative monuments underline the inheritance of pain and injustice endured with courage and dignity. Their life is important. Their voice counts. Their healing is important. We are still there ”.
Lorraine Daniels,
Second generation survivor
Managing director
National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada Inc.

Briefly facts

  • Children sent to the Indian boarding school Portage La Prairie came from several First Nations and other Aboriginal communities at Manitoba and elsewhere. In this establishment, they faced a severe discipline, abuse, exhausting work, emotional negligence, attempts to annihilate their language and culture as well as the isolation of their family and their community.
  • The former Indian Portage Prairie prairie boarding school now houses the National Museum of Aboriginal boarding schools of Canadawhich was created “to be a place where everyone can learn, share, heal and progress by better understanding the forces that have shaped and changed several generations of First Nations forever”.
  • Parks Canada and the First Nation have collaborated to determine the historical values of this former boarding school and the building report prepared for the premises and historic monuments of the Canada (CLMHC) was jointly written by members of First Nation and Parks Canada.
  • The plates are written in anishinaabowin, anishinaabomowin syllabic, cry, syllabic cry, dakota as well as in English and French.
  • Created in 1919, the Historical Place and Monuments Commission of the Canada advises the Minister responsible for Parks Canada on the national historical importance of characters, places and events that have marked the history of the Canada. With the Participation of Parks Canada, the Commission ensures that the subjects which have a national historical importance are recognized and that these important stories are told to the Canadians.
  • The vast majority of applications subject to the examination of the premises and historic monuments of the Canada are by public members. For more information on the Commission and on how to submit a candidacy, please consult the Parks Canada website: https://parcs.canada.ca/culture/designation/proposer-nominate.

Related document
Information document: the former Indian boarding school of Portage La Prairie

Related links
Health support program: resolution of Indian boarding school issues
Historical premises and monuments of the Canada
Parcs Canada
The first plain long nation (only available in English)
National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada (only available in English)
The framework for history and commemoration

SOURCE Parcs Canada (HQ)

Information: Lauren Wagn, agent, public relations and communications, Manitoba management unit, Parks Canada, 431-996-6758, [email protected]; Media relations, Agency Parcs Canada, 855-862-1812, [email protected]

emerson.cole
emerson.cole
Emerson’s Salt Lake City faith & ethics beat unpacks thorny moral debates with campfire-story warmth.
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