ManitobaSurvivors of a Manitoba residential school that closed its doors half a century ago met Thursday at the former institution to reflect on the impact it had on their lives.’It has impacted all of our lives,’ former student tells survivors of Manitoba institutionArturo Chang · CBC News · Posted: Oct 09, 2025 9:57 PM EDT | Last Updated: 34 minutes agoThe Portage la Prairie Residential School closed its doors in 1975. The building now serves as a museum and a site of remembrance. (Trevor Brine/CBC)Survivors of a Manitoba residential school that closed its doors half a century ago met Thursday at the former institution to reflect on the impact it had on their lives.Hundreds gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Portage la Prairie Residential School.Former students who were forced to leave their families and communities to live there met with fellow survivors and shared their experiences at the institution, which shut down in 1975 after operating for nearly a century.Jennifer Wood from Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation in Ontario told the gathering she was 13 when she came to the residential school in 1973.Survivors gathered for an event marking the 50th anniversary of the school’s closure. (Trevor Brine/CBC)”When we see each other, we go right back to when we were 13. Right back,” she told the gathering. “Straight back to when we all travelled to Banff, to when we all went to the wrestling matches, to when we all were outside getting scolded.”But Wood said the meeting also brings up a lot of pain.”I believe in survivors,” Wood said. “I believe that we shouldn’t be put under the rug with our truth. I believe that all of Canada should be aware of the legacy that it’s left to us and the impact that it has on our lives, because it has impacted all of our lives.”The Portage la Prairie Residential School was established in 1891, according to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The current building was constructed in the 1910s, replacing an earlier structure.After the school closed in 1975, nearby Long Plain First Nation took ownership of the site in 1981, according to a federal government website. In 2020, the building was designated as a national historic site, and the building is now home to the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada.Long Plain First Nation Chief David Meeches, who went to a day school, said what he experienced was “nowhere near” to what the residential school survivors went through.The building was acquired by Long Plain First Nation six years after the school shut down. It’s now a museum. (Trevor Brine/CBC)”I never realized the significance of this building and what occurred in our land, and the impacts that were felt,” he said. “I will admit to saying we should just tear this down. But I’m glad we didn’t because although it was a symbol of harm … it’s also a symbol of healing.”Leaders from other First Nations were also present at the ceremony. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson, who is from Long Plain, said the gathering showed the strength of all survivors.”We’re here today because of your strength and your resiliency,” she said. “All of our families have these experiences and …it’s up to each and every one of us to carry those stories and that strength in the journeys that we walk every single day.”WATCH | Gathering marks 50 years since closure of Portage la Prairie residential school:Gathering marks 50th anniversary of residential school closureHundreds gathered at the site of the former Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School, which has been renovated into a museum and centre for remembrance. This week marks the 50th anniversary of the school’s closing in 1975.With files from Trevor Brine
Hundreds mark 50th anniversary of closure of Portage la Prairie residential school
