The chimney that was once part of the Battlefords Industrial School stands among ruins. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battleordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Chimney Future

Battleford looking at future of Battlefords Industrial School chimney

Jul 16, 2024 | 6:32 PM

A chimney that bore witness to the residential school era and subsequent deaths of 74 children housed within the building it once served is facing the possibility of joining the rest of the ruins that lay scattered among the grounds on the Ridge.

During Monday night’s Battleford’sCouncil meeting, Mayor Ames Leslie spoke to the visit he and Councillor Doug Laing took to the Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man Economic Development, they noticed holes around the base of the chimney stack from the former Government House and later Battlefords Industrial School.

“This is a recommendation that funds be set aside in the 2025 operating budget as there is some potential work to be done,” said Leslie.

He explained that the recommendation from an engineering firm was to repair the masonry work at the top of the stack along with at its base.

Holes in the ground around the base of the chimney that was once part of the Battlefords Industrial School. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battleordsNOW Staff)

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“It could be a cost of $45 to 55,000 but they believe that this is the high end of that estimate,” Leslie said.

Following the recommendation that the council direct the administration to obtain further price estimates for the work recommended by the firm, councillors spoke to the chimney’s future and the possibility of dismantling it and preserving the bricks.

“I agree they should get more quotes, but I would like them – somebody to look into possibility of a grant since this was a residential industrial school and it is becoming part of our historical story,’ said Councillor Judy Pruden.

“It’s on the site of the school, perhaps there’s something…the Truth and Reconciliation Fund or something federally.”

Councillor Alexis Christiensen said they didn’t want it to fall of its own volition, but she wasn’t sure why they would fix it and suggested continuing dialogue with MGBHLM EcDEV to come up with ideas on how to help pay for the project.

“Seems like a lot of money to repair an old chimney that’s pretty much the only part of the structure left there,” she said.

Leslie agreed with the cost being the sticking point but said there was also a matter of it being having some federal designation.

“The ruins are still up there and as of today, Mosquito still wants it there ‘cause it’s part of the story,” he said.

For Jason Stone, All Nations Career Centre Manager and his community, the ruins and the chimney that still stands as a monument to the era not long past, it is evidence or factual material they still have.

“Because of the 74 souls that never made it home, these children were ripped away from their families and they ended up passing or dying here,” he said.

“That’s the thing that rotates or revolves around this certain area – this special place – we call it, and you know, with that being said, some people might figure that’s a good thing to come down but there’s other elders out there that still want that here.”

Councillor Shelley Boutin-Gervais also wanted to see it stay.

“It is a part of history – you can’t erase all of history,” she said.

A gouge in the masonry of the chimney that was once part of the Battlefords Industrial School. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battleordsNOW Staff)

“You kind of have to hope that history never ever repeats itself so, I’m a big fan of history so, I think we should put the money into fixing it and just remember and reflect.”

The Government House was built in 1874 when Battleford was the capital of the Northwest Territories. When Regina became the capital seven years later, the building was expanded to become the Battlefords Industrial School, the first federal residential school that ran until the advent of the Great War. The building burned down in 2003 after years of use in other capacities.

“That smokestack…on the Ridge you can see it, so it is kind of a symbol of the area of healing and of addressing it,” said Leslie in a follow up interview.

“At this time, we’ll continue to make sure it’s safe,” then

said that the town will work closely with EcDEV to find a solution.

“Make sure that it fits in what they feel is appropriate for their ambiance of their new facility and also to the healing of their members who want to come up there.”

Meanwhile, Stone isn’t sure what the plan is.

“It’s a very highly sensitive subject because of everything – the turmoil that happened here.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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