A new memorial park in Pimicikamak Cree Nation honours children forced to attend residential school, including those who never returned home.

Survivors, families and youth gathered last week at the former site of St. Joseph’s Residential School to unveil three red granite monuments.

They recognize former students, identify schools where children from the community were sent, and commemorate the 72 children known to have died while attending St. Joseph’s between 1912 and 1969.

Among them were 12 children who died in a fire in 1930.

Chief David Monias says seeing young people learning alongside Survivors brings encouragement and healing.