‘A part of our history that is often under-represented’
First Light in St. John's aims to construct permanent monument for residential school survivors
First Light, in partnership with the City of St. John’s, is proposing a number of methods to Indigenize the city’s downtown core, and one of the major steps includes a monument to honour residential school survivors.
Jordan Lawrence, First Light’s action circle coordinator, says the projects are important for the community and the city.
“The reason that we landed on Indigenizing downtown, the City of St. John's is a partner at First Voice, so they're aware of our calls for change and how truth and reconciliation needs to be taken on by both non-indigenous and Indigenous people,” says Lawrence.
DISCUSSIONS
Consultation sessions with communities are ongoing in partnership with First Light, First Voice, and the city.
Lawrence says the sessions –– one of which includes a community feast –– are aimed at fostering discussions about how Indigenous people want the city to look.
“One of the things that we like to really talk about is our calls for change. We had 42 of them. Some of the things that were identified were ensuring safe and reliable transportation for the city, decolonizing public spaces, Indigenizing place names, promoting Indigenous stewardship of green spaces,” he says.
“What we really want to do is get the urban Indigenous populations perspective on these things because, as we know, oftentimes the urban Indigenous population is an under-represented part of the community.”
NEW MONUMENT
Lawrence says the Indigenous community in St. John’s doesn’t see themselves reflected in the environment, and is looking at a variety of different projects to change this.
“One of the major ones is we're looking at where a permanent monument to honour survivors of residential schools in the province could be. That is one of those things that really does show a part of our history that is often under-represented,” he says.
“That's call for change Number 24 in our shared vision, released in 2020. That came as a response to establish a highly visible monument in the city of St. John's to honour survivors of residential schools and those who never made it home to their families.”
COMMUNITY DECISION
Lawrence says there is currently no permanent monument for residential school survivors.
“One of the ways that we wanted to do that (plan and build the monument) is consult the Indigenous population," he adds.
"Oftentimes, we see monuments to the settler or colonial history of Newfoundland. We don't see a lot that is representative of the Indigenous population.”
While there is still no location or plan for the monument, he says the community should be able to decide on that.
“I don't know where it will be or what it will be like. That's the fun part about this discussion. I know it would probably have to take place on city-owned land, but we don't know and we're excited to see what people think and what ideas come about it,” says Lawrence.
LOOKING AHEAD
A public summary report will be released after consultations.
Lawrence says he’s excited to see what the community decides on for themselves and as a part of Indigenizing the city’s downtown.
“Bringing Indigenous peoples together to have their voices elevated is a way to engage that part of the community that is more often under-represented or not acknowledged," he says.