Indigenous leaders renew calls for Canada to recognize Timber Bay, Sask. children's home as a residential school
Noland Henderson remembers when he first stepped foot into a school and children’s home in Timber Bay.
He was about six years old at that time, in the early 1960s, when his parents left him in the home’s care while they went out on the trapline. His family’s house was right next door, he said.
Henderson said the school was operated by the provincial government.
“That was the whole nature of that home, very much Evangelical,” said Henderson, adding that his entire day was based around prayer.
"It was a whole series of prayer sessions throughout the day, and then Wednesday was a special day where we had about an hour, hour and a half church service."
But the federal government doesn’t classify the Timber Bay home as a residential school, meaning former students like Henderson don’t get compensated for its role in the school’s operation.
Henderson said the school should have residential school status for how it impacted his Cree culture.
“We weren’t expected to speak our language, and if we did, we got punished,” he said.
Timber Bay Children's Home, near Lac La Ronge. (Source: Linda McCullough)
Timber Bay Children's Home, near Lac La Ronge. (Source: Linda McCullough)
Henderson said some children were strapped for speaking their traditional languages. He said he was strapped once for stealing, and that a lot of children would flee the home in hopes of getting back to their families.
One of those children was 10-year-old Bobby Bird, whose remains were found a decade after he ran away.
New calls are emerging for the federal government to recognize the home as a residential school after the discovery of 215 children’s remains at a former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C.
Ottawa-based lawyer Michael Swinwood represented the Lac La Ronge Indian Band when the case was before the courts.
In 2017, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled against the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, arguing that the school can’t be classified as a residential school because it wasn’t directly ran by the federal government.
“It had all of the characteristics of a residential school. It was identical,” said Swinwood.
He said when there wasn’t room for children at a residential school in Saskatoon, they would be transferred to Timber Bay.
“Overload is basically what was happening,” said Swinwood. “There was linkage in the way it was operated. There was hardly a difference.”
Swinwood said he’s in touch with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band about potentially taking further legal action outside of the Indian Residential School Agreement against administrators at the school and the both the provincial and federal governments.
He said ground radar searches at the site could help their case.
“My fondest wish is that they do not find any bodies; however, if that was the case, then obviously that’s quite incredible evidence.”
Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said about 2,000 students attended the school in Timber Bay, which operated between 1954 and 1994.
“There are so many dark chapters that have yet to come to light, and it’s essential that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action ensure that the lives lost and the survivors are all acknowledged,” he said in a news release.
If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous people are available here.
Correction
This story has been updated with the correct years Timber Bay operated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.