A special inauguration ceremony was held at The Ridge Friday for a new teepee shrine, called Our Lady of the Snows.
The shrine is located in the cemetery for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) Catholic order of priests and honourary Oblates.
The installation was unveiled at a gathering that included members from local First Nations as well as representatives from the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) Catholic order.
The Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation (MGBHLM) First Nation Economic Development Corp. purchased the property, now known as The Ridge, including the land and buildings, from the Oblates in 2020. The property is near the site of the former Battleford Industrial School, south of Battleford, so it also has significance as a step toward reconciliation. MGBHLM has future plans to create an interpretive centre at the site.
Inside the teepee shrine is a replica of the artwork, entitled Our Lady of The Snows. The original mosaic, depicting an Inuit mother with a child, is hanging at The Ridge offices. The piece was originally created by artist Alfred Hubenig, OMI, in 1954 when he was a seminarian.
Grant Beaudry, CEO for the Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man (MGBHLM) First Nation Economic Development Corp., spoke of the significance of the teepee shrine.
“It’s in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. This is a place of healing — our site,” Beaudry said. “It’s a place of dialogue between First Nations, the church and government. It’s very important to have that significance here with the inauguration of the teepee, in memory of those that didn’t make it home from residential schools to their First Nation reserves.”
The teepee shrine was constructed through a collaboration of the Oblates of the Saskatchewan District and MGBHLM Economic Development Corp., which provided the labour to build the structure.
The teepee shrine will be opened for special occasions. (submitted photos/Grant Beaudry)The MGBHLM Economic Development Corp.’s Home Builders and Construction Company put up the teepee, which is made of wood and has a concrete base.
Ervin Wuttunee, MGBHLM Economic Development Corp.’s head of construction for the Home Builders and Construction Company, designed and constructed the teepee project, with support from members from the area First Nations.
Father Maurice Schroeder (OMI) first had the idea for the teepee shrine adorned with the image of Our Lady of the Snows. During the inauguration he spoke about the work involved to create the project.
FSIN Senator and Elder Jenny Spyglass spoke at the ceremony about the need for sharing and also for forgiveness.
In response, Father Michael Dechant (OMI), superior of the Saskatchewan District Community, made an apology to Spyglass during an emotional moment at the event.
“In the context of what we had just done — the blessing of the teepee Our Lady of the Snows, so on behalf of the Oblates that were in the cemetery and on behalf of the Oblates here I ask for your forgiveness,” he recalled saying to Spyglass. “There was a response of tears.”
“She [Spyglass] spoke of the importance for forgiveness,” Dechant said. “So we as Oblates, we had a part. We were not responsible for it, but we inherited the Indian Residential School tragedy. So on behalf of the Oblates who were buried there, I was asking for forgiveness.”
Dechant said the moment brought both him and Spyglass to tears.
Corrine Pambrun, (OMI) based in Saskatoon, said the Oblates were invited guests to the teepee inauguration ceremony and were grateful to be welcomed.
When the MGBHLM Economic Development Corp. purchased the property previously, administrators said the Oblates would still be able to use the Oblates Catholic priests’ cemetery for Oblate funerals. MGBHLM Ec. Dev. maintains the land, and grants the Oblates easement to access this cemetery.
Pambrun said the gesture is appreciated.
She added it was quite fitting to put the teepee up adorned by the image of Our Lady of the Snows.
“We were coming to do a blessing for the teepee,” Pambrun said. “So it fell on the day of Truth and Reconciliation. What better thing to do than gather together to be together and to recognize this day.”
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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com
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