Residential school memorial at Vancouver Art Gallery being removed

A memorial that has grown on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery in the wake of the discovery of remains at former residential schools in B.C. and across Canada is coming down.

The City of Vancouver says the local Host Nations were “not consulted and did not give formal permission prior to the installation of the temporary residential schools memorial.”

As such, it has asked for the memorial to “come to a conclusion.”

“As a City of Reconciliation, and in-line with the City’s UNDRIP Strategy, the City has a responsibility to recognize the rights and titles of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and to support the observance of cultural protocols,” a statement to CityNews reads.

“The City has come to better understand that any commemorative or art project as significant and long-standing as this temporary residential schools memorial, requires consultation and permission from the local Nations.”

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation tells CityNews it supports the city’s request for the memorial to be taken down.

“We believe that it is time to create a permanent memorial reflective of MST Nations and our cultural protocols,” the email reads.

Chief Jen Thomas with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation says that she hopes to discuss the creation of a new memorial “that’s going to be meaningful for everybody.” 

“I just hope that we can all come together. It’s not about us that are here still, it’s about the little ones that are on the other side waiting for these gifts. It’s about them. And we have to remember them in a good way,” she added.

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According to the City of Vancouver, the memorial was “initiated by Haida artist Tamara Bell in May 2021.” It came after the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed the remains of 215 children were found at the site of the former Kamloops Residential School.

“Reconciliation is a learning journey, and the City acknowledges its own misstep in not acting earlier to observe the rights and titles and cultural protocols of the local Nations due to the sensitive nature of the temporary residential schools memorial,” the city’s email continues.

Staff tell CityNews they have connected with the artists and others who are keeping vigil at the Vancouver Art Gallery to offer resources and support, as well as to inform them of this decision.

Related video: Planting wildflowers for children who didn’t return from residential schools

The city says it will work with organizers to “establish a good process for bringing the memorial to a close over the coming months,” adding this process will be private.

“The City also understands that this may be an emotional and difficult decision for many and acknowledges there is a need for public, culturally appropriate spaces for mourning and healing from residential schools,” the statement adds, noting the city will work with the Host Nations, as well as other Indigenous communities, to plan for such spaces.

Thomas adds that after the memorial is taken down, there are still opportunities for people to learn about residential schools and Indigenous culture.

“We’re always here to have that open conversation with everybody. We’re not going anywhere,” she said.