Siksika Board of Education has partnered with Alberta Culture Days to host Siksika Cultural Days on September 25 and 29, 2026. The Aohkaniin A’po’takssini, or Painted Buffalo Project, will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the closing of the last residential school in 1996.
In Canada, the first residential boarding school opened in 1831 Ontario, beginning 165 years of government-enforced assimilation of Indigenous children that would not end until the last school officially closed in Saskatchewan in 1996. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation lists a total of 26 residential schools in Alberta, including Crowfoot Residential School (1900-1968) and Old Sun Residential School (1886-1971) here on the Siksika Nation.
In honour of the survivors and their families, our students, staff, and community members are painting small wooden bison to mark the end of the residential schools and highlight the resiliency of our people. Bison have long been the lifeblood of our nation as a symbol of strength and identity. The wooden bison represent not only our students and school community, but also the Siksika people, continually healing and moving forward toward a brighter future for all.
We welcome the community to join our students and staff on Friday, September 25th to share a meal and paint a wooden bison of their own at the Siksika Outreach School from 12 to 2 pm. Please RSVP for this event as there is limited space. Call 403-734-3418 to reserve your spot.
Albertans are invited to join us as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the closing of the last residential school in Canada on Tuesday, September 29th, at the Siksika Administrative Park where over 1,000 painted wooden bison will be installed for display along the fence. This event will take place from 11 am to 2 pm with a community walk, a student drum performance, and an assortment of food trucks available. Please call the Siksika Board of Education at 403-734-4028 or email us at siksikaed@sboe.ca for more information.