‘Every child matters’ crosswalk added to downtown St. Albert [Video]

A bear and a child now walk in perpetuity across St. Anne Street at Perron Street in St. Albert as a reminder that “every child matters.” 

“Every child matters” is the slogan used by the Orange Shirt Society to recognize the harms inflicted on Indigenous children, directly or intergenerationally, by Canada’s residential school system. 

The crosswalk, designed by Cree, Ojibwe and Métis artist Karlliea Wood, was unveiled with a smudge and prayer ceremony on Tuesday ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on Monday. 

Local Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors and St. Albert’s mayor attended the crosswalk’s unveiling. 

According to a press release, the crosswalk’s bear symbolizes courage, strength and healing. 

The child, who wears their hair in braids, represents the resilience of Indigenous children and their connection to their ancestors. 

Wood’s design was selected in a contest held by Métis Local 1904. 

According to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, more …