A sizeable contribution has been made towards the creation of a monument honouring Splatsin residential school survivors and their families.
The Splatsin Development Corporation (SDC) has presented a gift of $120,000 to the Splatsin Residential School Monument Fund, marking a major milestone in the quest to create a permanent, community-led memorial in the Enderby area First Nation.
The cheque was presented Monday, Dec. 15, and it provides the final piece of funding needed to move the monument into the full fabrication and installation stages.
Led by the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn (Teaching Centre) Society, the Splatsin Residential School Monument Project has been guided since 2022 by survivors, intergenerational family members, community representatives, and Indigenous artist Tania Willard.
The monument will be located on Splatsin reserve lands in Enderby, following formal approval by Splatsin Kukpi7 (chief) and Tkwamipla7s (councillors).
SDC has also revealed some early design renderings of the monument, created by Willard, a Secwépemc artist. It takes the form of a large-scale cedar root cradle that symbolizes care, protection and the return of children to culture and family, SDC said in a media release. The cradle is inspired by traditional Secwépemc basketry.
It will be a massive monument, measuring about 60 feet in length and seven feet in height.
“The woven exterior reflects the visual language of cedar root basketry, while the interior will feature the engraved names of Residential School Survivors, surrounding visitors as they walk into the structure. Integrated orange lighting, illuminated at night, acknowledges the ongoing legacy of Residential Schools and affirms a visible commitment to Truth and Reconciliation,” SDC said.
The structure will be primarily built out of cedar and corten steel, reflecting resilience, endurance and an unbreakable connection to the land.
The $120,000 contribution from SDC completes the project’s remaining funding gap and allows the monument to proceed toward its anticipated installation and unveiling in 2026.
The gift follows strong community fundraising efforts, including events such as the Play for Truth basketball fundraiser, which raised more than $16,000 earlier this year.
“This monument is about truth, accountability, and ensuring that the experiences of survivors are never forgotten,” said Grahame Go, CEO of SDC. “We are honoured to support a project that has been led with such care by survivors and the community. This contribution reflects our responsibility to invest in healing, remembrance, and the long-term cultural strength of Splatsin.”
The project is governed by a planning group that includes survivors, intergenerational members, and community leaders, with Splatsin acting as the flow-through organization for project funds. In a letter dated Dec. 12, the Monument Committee formally accepted SDC’s gift, noting that the contribution ensures the monument will now become a reality and bring meaningful closure and recognition to survivors.