Memorial walk held to remember the dozens of children who died at Regina residential school

Nearly 100 people gathered Wednesday afternoon for the third-annual memorial walk to remember children who died at a Regina residential school.

The yearly walk was organized by the three groups, the Regina Indian Industrial School (R.I.I.S) Commemorative Association, Saskatchewan Missing and RIIS Media Project.

According to R.I.I.S., the Regina Indian Industrial School was shut down in 1910 after operating for 20 years.

READ MORE: Residential schools subjected students to disease, abuse, experiments: TRC report

Janine Windolph, president of the association, said upwards of 40 children may be buried in unmarked graves on the site located on the western edge of the city.

Windolph said this year’s walk has been the largest yet, but also said the next goal is to get a historical designation.

“We really need the community letters to come in to show that this is something coming from the community,” she explained.

“Part of what we wanted to do with this walk was to make sure that we remind people that they have a position and a place that they can contribute to the larger story.”

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Also in attendance was federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Mayor Michael Fougere.

Both men highlighted the significance of the site and its symbol in reference to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report.

Fougere also said the city is working to grant the site a municipal heritage designation.

“We are participating in the committee that is overseeing this and we are pleased to do that and we look forward to making this more of a sacred ground.”