NORTH BATTLEFORD - The Don Ross hill was the starting point for the Honouring their Voices Walk, organized by Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs and the City of North Battleford.
With the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation happening Sept. 30, on Sept. 29 the stakes that had been placed at the Don Ross hill were removed. The 215 stakes had been placed there earlier this year by the City in memory of the 215 buried at the site of the former residential school in Kamloops.
While the stakes were set up in memory of children who attended residential schools, their removal also had children in mind. The City is looking to have the site available for use as a popular toboggan hill for kids this winter.
A number of dignitaries were in attendance including Mayor David Gillan of North Battleford and Mayor Ames Leslie of Battleford, as well as area Chiefs and other representatives. Participants convened at the Don Ross Hill to remove the stakes and the teddy bears placed there, and move them back to First Nations land, in this case the Red Pheasant property at the Centex gas bar location on Territorial Drive. The walk took place through the city streets up 101st Street to 15th Avenue, and then down 15th Avenue all the way to the Centex Gas Bar and Convenience Store.
In front of that location, the stakes were placed on the ground and arranged in a circle in front of a sign that said Every Child Matters. According to BATC the display with remain there until a more permanent location can be found.
