The Dark Past of the Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery: Uncovering the History and Efforts to Commemorate the Children Buried There

Regina Indian Industrial School, c 1908, Canada Archives.

Regina, Saskatchewan, a city known for its proud heritage and urban growth, also harbors a dark and painful chapter in its history. Tucked away in the shadows of the city’s bustling streets is the Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery, a site that has long been neglected, but whose stories demand to be heard. Beneath the ground lie the remains of Indigenous children who were forced to attend one of Canada’s many residential schools—a system designed to strip them of their culture, language, and identity. This cemetery serves as a somber reminder of the deep wounds caused by these institutions, and the ongoing efforts to acknowledge and heal from this painful past.

The Regina Indian Industrial School: A Tragic Beginning

In 1891, the Regina Indian Industrial School was established by the Canadian government in partnership with Christian churches as part of a broader plan to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society. The school was part of a nationwide residential school system aimed at eradicating Indigenous culture by removing children from their families and communities. These children were forced to abandon their languages, traditions, and way of life, often subjected to harsh physical punishment and neglect.

The Regina Indian Industrial School, like many others, was notorious for its abuse and mistreatment. Children were denied access to proper education, forced to work in grueling conditions, and subjected to an environment of fear and oppression. Many were separated from their families for years, some never to return. The trauma inflicted on these children was both physical and psychological, leaving scars that would affect generations.

The Cemetery: A Final Resting Place for Unheard Stories

While the legacy of the Regina Indian Industrial School is one of pain and loss, the cemetery where many of the children who attended the school were buried is a haunting symbol of the injustice that was done. The grave site, located near the school’s former location, holds the remains of children who died while in the school’s care. These children, who often died from disease, malnutrition, or the brutal conditions they were subjected to, were buried without ceremony, and in most cases, their families were never informed of their deaths.

The exact number of children buried in the cemetery is not known, but estimates suggest that many were laid to rest there—unmarked and forgotten. The graves remained largely unacknowledged for decades, their significance overshadowed by the general neglect of Indigenous communities' history in Canada.

The cemetery itself, which was abandoned and overgrown for many years, became a place of silence. It wasn’t until recent decades that the stories of the children buried there began to resurface, thanks to the efforts of Indigenous communities, survivors, and historians who sought to uncover the truth about the school’s dark past.

Uncovering the Truth: Efforts to Memorialize the Lost Children

In recent years, the efforts to acknowledge the history of the Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery have gained momentum. Survivors of the residential school system and their families have worked tirelessly to uncover the names of the children buried in the cemetery and to ensure that their stories are remembered. Advocacy groups, local communities, and organizations like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have played a critical role in bringing attention to the cemetery and its significance.

In 2000, the city of Regina officially acknowledged the cemetery, and in the years that followed, the site was designated as a historical landmark. Markers were placed to honor the children buried there, and ceremonies were held to commemorate their lives. These efforts were not just about remembering the children who had died, but also about confronting the painful history of Canada’s residential school system.

However, much work remains to be done. The cemetery still lacks many of the resources and recognition it deserves. The children buried there remain largely nameless, their lives erased by a system that sought to destroy their identities. Many families are still searching for the remains of their lost loved ones, hoping to find closure and to properly honor their memory.

The Legacy of Trauma: Ongoing Healing and Education

The dark history of the Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery is a powerful reminder of the trauma caused by Canada’s residential school system. It is a legacy of suffering that continues to affect Indigenous communities today. Survivors and their families still deal with the psychological and emotional scars of their experiences, and the journey toward healing is long and difficult.

One of the key aspects of this healing process is education—educating Canadians about the true history of residential schools and the impact they had on Indigenous peoples. The stories of the children buried in Regina’s cemetery, as well as those from across the country, are critical to understanding the broader legacy of colonialism and the need for reconciliation.

In recent years, there has been growing momentum to incorporate this history into public discourse. School curriculums have started to include more comprehensive teachings on Indigenous history, and public ceremonies are held to honor the survivors and victims of residential schools. The children buried at the Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery are central to this conversation, their lives and deaths serving as a poignant reminder of the need to remember and learn from the past.

City of Regina Archives (CORA-B-0763) Front view of Regina Indian Industrial School with men horses and buggies out front

A Call for Acknowledgment and Action

As we look to the future, it’s important to continue supporting the efforts to commemorate and honor the children buried in the Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery. Their stories cannot be forgotten. There is a growing demand for more resources to properly maintain the cemetery, to continue identifying the children buried there, and to ensure that the voices of Indigenous peoples are heard and respected.

The cemetery represents not just the lost lives of children but also the ongoing struggles for justice, recognition, and reconciliation. It stands as a reminder that while the past cannot be changed, the future can be shaped by how we choose to acknowledge and learn from that past. It is up to all of us to ensure that the children of the Regina Indian Industrial School are never forgotten and that their memory continues to inspire change and healing in the years to come.

Conclusion

The dark past of the Regina Indian Industrial School Cemetery serves as a stark reminder of the pain and suffering caused by Canada’s residential school system. But it also offers hope—hope that through recognition, education, and reconciliation, we can begin to heal the wounds of the past. The children buried in the cemetery may have been silenced in life, but their stories will not be forgotten. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that their legacy lives on, and that the lessons of the past guide us toward a more just and compassionate future for all Canadians.