The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild mourns alongside Indigenous communities, as the remains of hundreds of children have been discovered at Cowessess First Nation, from unmarked graves at the former site of a residential school. First Kamloops, now Cowessess, and — tragically, inevitably, many others to come — these graves are part of the truth of Canada’s story of colonialism, which persists today in systemic injustices and intergenerational traumas. We stand in solidarity with the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike who are trying to rectify these wrongs. We will continue to support and uplift the voices of racialized and marginalized writers, from Saskatchewan treaty territories 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10, and beyond. We will continue to help their voices be heard, as they share stories to communicate truth and cultivate reconciliation.
We are honoured to share this poem by SWG member and Parliamentary Poet Laureate and residential school survivor Louise Bernice Halfe (Sky Dancer), who makes her home near Saskatoon. https://lop.parl.ca/About/Parliament/Poet/English_poems/Halfe/Angels-e.pdf
A 24-hour crisis line (1 (866) 925-4419) for residential school survivors is available for anyone experiencing pain or needing support or assistance.