The Splatsin Development Corporation (SDC) has donated $120,000 to the Splatsin Residential School Monument Project, completing the funding needed to move the initiative into its next phase: full fabrication and installation.
The donation was formally presented on Monday, Dec. 15, with residential school survivors and community members in attendance. The monument will be located on Splatsin reserve lands in Enderby, B.C.
This project is led by the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn (Teaching Centre) Society and guided by survivors, intergenerational families, and community representatives.
Tania Willard, a Secwépemc artist, designed the monument, which takes the form of a large cedar root cradle. Splatsin said the cradle symbolizes care, protection and the return of children to family, culture and community. The monument, inspired by traditional Secwépemc basketry, will measure approximately 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,” Splatsin described.
The structure is primarily made of cedar and corten steel, reflecting resilience, endurance, and an unbreakable connection to land.
The donation of $120,000 from the SDC fills the funding gap, and now the project can proceed with its next steps.
“This monument is about truth, accountability, and ensuring that the experiences of Survivors are never forgotten,” Grahame Go, CEO of Splatsin Development Corporation, said.
“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 monument is expected to be completed next year, with a public ceremony planned to mark its unveiling.
