Additional tipi erected at Vancouver Art Gallery amid calls for residential school memorial's removal
An additional tipi has been erected at the residential school memorial outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, after the city and three local First Nations requested that the tribute be taken down.
A mother told CTV News that she and her two daughters plan to live inside of it.
The residential school memorial site was originally created in May 2021, following Tk'emlúps te Secwepemc’s announcement of the discovery of of 215 potential unmarked graves at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. It’s since been fenced off and blocked from the general public.
Tamara Bell, a Haida artist, originally placed 215 pairs of children’s shoes on the south steps of the art gallery and lit candles to honour children who did not survive in residential schools.
Her tribute became a gathering place for people to mourn, learn and pay respects to the children who died at residential schools across Canada.
The city’s request for the memorial to be removed was originally made on Nov. 30. The city acknowledges it could have handled the situation differently and says it did not act sooner because of the sensitive nature of the memorial.
The city says it understands there is a need for public, culturally appropriate spaces for mourning and healing from residential schools, and that those conversations have started and will continue with First Nations.
Last week, Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow was asked if he was aware of the memorial expanding, and he expressed disbelief.
"Very disappointing that they're not recognizing Musqueam and Squamish and Tseil-Waututh, and saying those kind of comments is very upsetting to me,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.