Indigenous artists can submit a proposal for a memorial on legislature grounds to honour residential school students who never came home.
Overview
On June 25, 2021, the Alberta government announced it would work with Indigenous communities to establish a permanent memorial on the Alberta legislature grounds for the victims of the residential school system.
The Residential Schools Memorial Advisory Panel was established to develop a vision for the memorial with consultation from Indigenous communities, review eligible artist submissions and recommend an artist to create the memorial.
The Residential Schools Memorial Request for Expressions of Interest is open to all Indigenous artists who live in or are from Alberta.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #82 calls “upon provincial and territorial governments, in collaboration with Survivors and their organizations, and other parties to the Settlement Agreement, to commission and install a publicly accessible, highly visible, Residential Schools Memorial in each capital city to honour Survivors and all the children who were lost to their families and communities.”
On September 30, 2021, the Alberta government and Indigenous leaders planted a tree on the legislature grounds to represent growth, continuity, renewal and life. A reconciliation garden will also be planted on the site. The Government of Alberta is now welcoming Expressions of Interest for a permanent memorial on the site.
Funding
Eligible applicants
This Request for an Expression of Interest is open to the following categories of Indigenous artists from or living in Alberta:
- individual artist
- artist-led teams
- artist collectives
- partnerships of artists
Recent familial connections to Alberta First Nations or with the Metis Settlements and Métis Nation Regions are required.
Artists are defined as individuals who:
- are actively pursuing a career in the arts
- have invested in the development of their artistic skills, voice and goals
- may have formal training
- may have shared their work publicly
- may have been compensated for their work, and
- may have a relationship with their artistic communities and peers
Artists do not need to be working professionally in the arts full-time. Artists may also include individuals working in craft, design industries or architecture.
Eligible proposals
Eligible proposals must:
- include a Letter of Interest for the proposed concept
- include a resume/CV/biography(ies) in the application
- demonstrate experience and ability to manage and deliver the scope of work proposed
- include examples of public artwork with a clear demonstration of how the final project will be delivered with pictures/images
- include a rendering or image to support the proposed concept attached
- demonstrate a meaning/impression/story of how the proposal reflects the history of residential schools in Alberta
- include a connection to Indigenous communities in Alberta
The panel will only consider proposals that meet these submission requirements.
How to apply
Step 1. Check eligibility
Be sure to meet all the eligibility needs mentioned above.
Step 2. Review the Proposal Checklist
Proposal Checklist – Print Version
Your proposal must answer ‘yes’ to all of the items in this checklist.
Step 3. Complete an Expression of Interest
Residential Schools Memorial - Request for Expressions of Interest (PDF, 678 KB)
Step 4. Gather supporting documents
Your proposal must include:
- a Letter of Interest for the proposed concept
- a resume/CV/biography(ies)
- examples of public artwork with a clear demonstration of how the final project will be delivered with pictures/images
- a rendering or image to support the proposed concept attached
Step 5. Set up an Alberta Purchasing Connection account
Set up an account on Alberta Purchasing Connection.
Anyone who needs help with this can connect with ir.rscrg@gov.ab.ca.
Step 6. Submit your proposal
Upload your Expression of Interest and supporting documents to Alberta Purchasing Connection.
- Under ‘Main Menu’ on the top left side of the page, click on ‘Search Opportunities’
- Enter the keywords ‘Residential Schools Memorial’ on the following page to find the listing
After you apply
The Residential Schools Memorial Panel will review the submissions and will choose the artist, artists or collective. Information sessions with potential candidates may be held before a final decision is made. These could include a visit to the site.
The chosen artist or artists will be announced in Fall 2022.
Residential Schools Memorial Panel members (June 2022)
- Jeannette MacInnis, acting executive director, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association
- Jennifer Paul, Indian residential school program coordinator, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
- Joseph RR (Reggie) Letourneau, CEO Nomad Spirit Journey, Stoney Nakota – Tsuut’ina Tribal Council
- Lisa Weber, board president, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
- Lorna Dancey, Truth and Reconciliation Coordinator, Metis Nation of Alberta
- Sherry Cunningham, vice-president, Metis Settlements General Council
- Bert Auger, Elder, Whitefish Lake First Nation
- Bernie Makokis, Elder, Saddle Lake Cree Nation
Contact
Connect with First Nations and Metis Relations:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: ir.rscrg@gov.ab.ca
Address:
Alberta Indigenous Relations
First Nations and Métis Relations
9th flr, Forestry Building
9920 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4
