Cross Lake Memorial
The story of the memorial at Mission Point began with a vision: to create a space of truth, memory, and healing on the grounds of the former St. Joseph’s Indian Residential School. Survivors and community members called for a place where history would not be forgotten, and where future generations could gather in strength and reflection.
That vision first took shape with the guidance of architect Dave Thomas, who drew inspiration from the land, the stories of Survivors, and the traditions of the community. When Dave had to step aside for health reasons, the work was carried forward and completed by ft3 Architects, who refined the design while honouring its original intent .
Architect Narrative
Arriving close to where St. Joseph’s Residential School once stood, the Winahwinikewin Memorial is accessed by a short path leading down a gentle slope, providing time and space for the mind to open. Looking south, one can see the circular form of the memorial space in the foreground with the lake, distant shores and sky beyond.
The visitor first encounters a three-pieced stone monument which includes the names of all students who attended St. Joseph’s Residential School as well as all Cross Lake children and youth that attended residential schools across the province. Directly behind the monument is the space where the school once stood at the crest of the hill. This space offers a moment to pause, reflect and honour the children harmed by the residential school system. As one moves along to read the names, each panel extends in height, rising toward the sky and to the spirit world beyond.
The path continues along in a circular plan, punctuated with 8 stones evenly spaced. Each stone surface is etched with a sacred teaching, reinforcing the guiding principles and values to respect all life. Looking inward, the space includes seating located at the cardinal directions with a sacred fire at the centre.
As day turns to night, four coloured !ights at the base of the cardinal direction teaching stones shine upward to intersect high above the fire in the form of a teepee. The use of natural materials such as stone and wood offer rich textures and colours to connect the visitor to the land and invites one to sit and reflect on what the children and their families have endured for so long.
The Winahwinikewin team worked hard to create a space that is open and welcoming to people of all abilities, where everyone can sit, reflect and remember.
At the heart of the design are four beams of light, shining into the night sky from each of the cardinal directions. Rising in the form of a teepee, these lights honour the children who were once afraid of the dark. Now, they serve as a beacon of safety and comfort—a way to guide the spirits home, and a lasting tribute to those we lost.
In 2025, the project broke ground at Mission Point. Midnorth Development Corp. and Tri-Core Projects began the careful work of preparing the site, ensuring that every step respected the land and the history it holds.
The memorial will feature monument stones, inscribed with meaning and memory, standing as witnesses to the past and markers for the future. Around them, spaces for teaching, fire, and gathering will be created, where community can come together in ceremony, conversation, and reflection .
The unveiling of the stones is planned for summer 2026, with the full memorial opening in fall 2026. That moment will mark not only the completion of construction, but the continuation of healing—an invitation for Survivors, families, and the community to come together in remembrance and resilience
This page will continue to share updates as the memorial rises from the ground at Mission Point. What began as sketches and conversations is becoming a lasting place of memory, created by and for the community.
Cross Lake Memorial
The story of the memorial at Mission Point began with a vision: to create a space of truth, memory, and healing on the grounds of the former St. Joseph’s Indian Residential School. Survivors and community members called for a place where history would not be forgotten, and where future generations could gather in strength and reflection.
That vision first took shape with the guidance of architect Dave Thomas, who drew inspiration from the land, the stories of Survivors, and the traditions of the community. When Dave had to step aside for health reasons, the work was carried forward and completed by ft3 Architects, who refined the design while honouring its original intent .
Architect Narrative
Arriving close to where St. Joseph’s Residential School once stood, the Winahwinikewin Memorial is accessed by a short path leading down a gentle slope, providing time and space for the mind to open. Looking south, one can see the circular form of the memorial space in the foreground with the lake, distant shores and sky beyond.
The visitor first encounters a three-pieced stone monument which includes the names of all students who attended St. Joseph’s Residential School as well as all Cross Lake children and youth that attended residential schools across the province. Directly behind the monument is the space where the school once stood at the crest of the hill. This space offers a moment to pause, reflect and honour the children harmed by the residential school system. As one moves along to read the names, each panel extends in height, rising toward the sky and to the spirit world beyond.
The path continues along in a circular plan, punctuated with 8 stones evenly spaced. Each stone surface is etched with a sacred teaching, reinforcing the guiding principles and values to respect all life. Looking inward, the space includes seating located at the cardinal directions with a sacred fire at the centre.
As day turns to night, four coloured !ights at the base of the cardinal direction teaching stones shine upward to intersect high above the fire in the form of a teepee. The use of natural materials such as stone and wood offer rich textures and colours to connect the visitor to the land and invites one to sit and reflect on what the children and their families have endured for so long.
The Winahwinikewin team worked hard to create a space that is open and welcoming to people of all abilities, where everyone can sit, reflect and remember.
At the heart of the design are four beams of light, shining into the night sky from each of the cardinal directions. Rising in the form of a teepee, these lights honour the children who were once afraid of the dark. Now, they serve as a beacon of safety and comfort—a way to guide the spirits home, and a lasting tribute to those we lost.
In 2025, the project broke ground at Mission Point. Midnorth Development Corp. and Tri-Core Projects began the careful work of preparing the site, ensuring that every step respected the land and the history it holds.
The memorial will feature monument stones, inscribed with meaning and memory, standing as witnesses to the past and markers for the future. Around them, spaces for teaching, fire, and gathering will be created, where community can come together in ceremony, conversation, and reflection .
The unveiling of the stones is planned for summer 2026, with the full memorial opening in fall 2026. That moment will mark not only the completion of construction, but the continuation of healing—an invitation for Survivors, families, and the community to come together in remembrance and resilience
This page will continue to share updates as the memorial rises from the ground at Mission Point. What began as sketches and conversations is becoming a lasting place of memory, created by and for the community.