Survivors Reflect on Legacy as Portage la Prairie School Turns 50

As the Portage la Prairie Residential School marks its 50th anniversary of closure, it continues to evoke deep reflections on the treatment of Indigenous children in Canada. Today, the building serves as the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada, offering a poignant space for survivors and visitors to contemplate the painful history that unfolded within its walls.

Personal Stories of Resilience and Healing

Standing on the third floor of the former school, Lorraine Daniels, the museum’s executive director and a residential school survivor, recalls her own experiences. Although she did not attend this particular institution, her parents did, and she herself experienced the trauma of residential schools in Brandon, Sandy Bay, and Birtle. Each institution took away her language, culture, and childhood.

“The school in Birtle took something deeper and left something emptier,” Daniels reflects. “I remember being sick, begging for medical attention, but neglect was the norm. There was no love, no comfort—only fear.”

Daniels highlights a rare moment of joy from her time at Birtle: playing in a nearby stream. “That little bit of nature was the only place I felt like myself,” she recalls. “I was just another number at school, stripped of my identity and family.”

A Museum of Memory and Education

Now, as the executive director, Daniels channels her experiences into creating an environment of remembrance and education. The museum preserves the history of residential schools and aims to transform a site of pain into one of healing. “This museum provides a unique experience,” she states. “Visitors stand in the same dormitories and look out of the same windows as the children did. They feel the weight of what happened here.”

On March 15, 2024, the museum will host Phyllis Webstad, the founder of Orange Shirt Day, who will share her story alongside many other survivors. “This is a moment for everyone to come together,” says Daniels. “Reconciliation cannot exist without truth, and truth begins with the stories of survivors.”

The museum not only preserves history but also fosters discussions on reconciliation. Daniels emphasizes the importance of new funding that supports the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, which aims to provide a permanent home for these crucial conversations. “Every investment in truth and reconciliation lifts us all,” she asserts.

As the museum continues its mission, it serves as a reminder of the enduring strength of Indigenous communities. “We are still here, doing the hard work of reconciliation,” Daniels states. “The building is still here, and the stories are still here.”

Visitors are encouraged to experience the museum, located on the Keeshkeemaquah lands of Long Plain First Nation, to witness the truth of what transpired. “Come feel what still lingers and witness the truth, not on a screen, but in the very place where it happened,” Daniels invites.

For those unable to travel, various events throughout Manitoba provide opportunities to engage with the stories and legacies of residential school survivors. This collective memory is vital for understanding the past and moving toward a reconciled future.

As the anniversary approaches, the National Indigenous Residential School Museum stands as a testament to resilience and an invitation to learn from history. The work of reconciliation is ongoing, and the stories of survivors remain a crucial part of that journey.