The Sechelt First Nation is getting 25-thousand dollars from the Community Forest Legacy Fund for a monument at the site of a former residential school.
The cheque was presented today at the Longhouse.
Chief Calvin Craigan says the monument will be a symbol of reconciliation as well as a recognition of the residential school experience.
The Sechelt are leading a court fight to get compensation for day scholars, who were left out of the major settlement with the federal government.
A judge is deciding now if it can go ahead as a class action lawsuit.
The monument will be a grandmother and children carved from Texada Island red granite.
It should be ready for dedication later this spring.
Fundraising continues as well. An account has been set up at the Sunshine Coast Credit Union under “Residential School Monument”.
St John’s United Church is prepared to match donations up to a total of $3000.
(If people want to consider this option, please make cheques out to St John’s United Church and identify on the cheque: Funds for Residential School Monument. Send to Nancy Smith; Secretary, St John’s United Church, 5085 Davis Bay Road, Sechelt, V0N 3A2)
