A Memorial Monument for Grouard Mission Cemetery

Grouard Mission, a hamlet on Treaty 8 territory in Northern Alberta, is rich in Indigenous history and home to a primarily Indigenous population.

Its cemetery, with the earliest recorded burials dating back to 1873, holds the stories of generations past. Among the 1,500 residents buried there, 221 are presumed to be children from the Indian Residential School in Grouard. As the years pass, Elders in the community fear that the identities of those laid to rest may fade into history.

The Grouard Seniors Community Club has been leading an effort to preserve the memory of those buried in the cemetery. The Club is planning the installation of a monument that lists the names of all those buried here, marking a 150-year span that connects seven generations back to seven generations forward. 

Thanks to funding from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF), the Grouard Seniors Community Club will be able to continue the important research and planning required to complete this project. The funding will also contribute to the costs of ordering and installing the monument. 

The memorial will be a space for descendants to connect with their ancestors and a gathering place for the community to honour their loved ones, practice traditional smudging ceremonies, and share stories. It will create an environment where cultural traditions can be passed down to future generations, ensuring that the community moves forward with a deep connection to their history.

Archdiocese of Grouard McLennan