If you have spent any time in Brandon the last couple of days, specifically along 18th Street and Victoria Avenue, you would have noticed orange crosses lining the street, 215 crosses, to be exact.
When news broke last week that 215 children's remains were found at the former site of the Kamloops Residential School, Jordan Wilson couldn't believe what she was hearing. From Brandon, Jordan wanted to do something. So she started building the crosses last Monday and by Friday, all 215 of them were built.
Then this past Sunday, Wilson with the help of about a dozen other volunteers hammered the crosses into the ground.
"When I was thinking about those children, I want them to be remembered," said Wilson. "They were all dumped in one spot, like how can someone do that."
The discovery of the remains in Kamloops hit especially close for Jordan. Her grandmother spent many years in Brandon's Residential School while her parents attended day school.
"I have very little words to describe how I have been feeling, I don't know how to describe it," said Wilson. "And I know I'm not the only one, so many are struggling. My granny used to tell me stories and I could feel her pain. It's so painful to know that she went through so much for so many years, it's heartbreaking."
(Photo credit - Liam Pattison Photography)
Jordan wants the history of residential schools to be taught in all schools across Manitoba and the country. She says residential schools are a massive part of Canadian history and there is no reason to not be educating everyone.
"These things happened, no one can deny that," said Wilson. "But I don't think many people know exactly what happened inside the schools and I think it's extremely important that everyone is aware."
Wilson wants the federal government to take responsibility for its involvement in the residential school system.
Natalie Spence grew up in the foster care system in Rorketon where she spent about seven years and it was during that time that she met her husband, Marcien. Marcien is from Crane River and the two lived there for about 11 years, before moving to Brandon. Three of Natalie's grandparents went to the Birtle Indian Residential School and she placed three crosses in the ground to honour them.
Just like Jordan, Natalie believes educating everyone is extremely important.
The crosses will remain up until Thursday morning. Anyone at that point is welcome to take one of the crosses home so no one is forgotten. Wilson hopes to eventually have the crosses installed permanently at the site of the former Brandon Residential School.
