A conceptual design of the monument. Note that consultations with Elders are still underway, so the wording on the structure may change (Photo courtesy Kara Baldwin)

By Justin Goulet

Baker Massacre inspires healing garden and monument project in Cardston

Feb 17, 2020 | 7:00 AM

CARDSTON, AB – A group in Cardston is looking to establish a monument and healing garden in honour of the surrounding Blackfoot community.

Current and former Blackfoot students at Cardston High School (CHS) have teamed with former CHS and current Magrath High School teacher Kara Baldwin on the initiative.

Baldwin said she, along with her students, were inspired by learning about the Baker Massacre. In 1870, over 200 peaceful Blackfoot individuals were killed by members of the United States Army in Montana.

Baldwin said she, and many of her students, were not aware of this historical event.

“One of the girls [that was] in our class, she’s actually a descendant from one of the survivors from the massacre. So it kind of developed from there into this idea of having a monument built to provide education to people who have maybe never heard about it as well as the residential schools, because I had never heard about the residential schools growing up,” she told LNN.

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“We wanted to provide that education piece for people. So, the students worked on developing this monument that talked about the Baker Massacre and what had occurred and really [to be] in memory of the tragedies and trauma that’s happened to Blackfoot people in the past.”

The group then came up with the idea to install the Riverside Healing Garden, to be developed around the monument, after learning about the St. Albert Healing Garden in St. Albert, Alberta.

The design team is made up of former CHS students Kaydence Bird, Nicky Gros Ventre Boy, Cashius Hungry Wolf, Barry Iron Shirt, Avery Many Bears, Tommy Russell, Brody Scout, Acacia Soop, Sineese Twigg, Kobe Shot Both Sides with support from Baldwin.

The team has consulted with Elders from the Blackfoot community on the project, with Blackfoot translation provided by Charlotte White Quills.

Current CHS students Kiara Rabbit, Hunter Heavy Runner, Shaylee Heavy Runner, Chesley Wells, Leighton Singer and Jamal Oka make up the funding team for the project.

The Town of Cardston has shown its support and so far, around $21,000 has been raised for the project. The total estimated cost of installing the monument, which includes cement work, benches and lighting, is estimated to be $91,000.

Donations can be made via e-transfer at pay@cardston.ca or in person at the Town of Cardston office. Baldwin said tax receipts will be given to donors upon request.

She said fundraising events are being planned and a date for the monument’s construction hasn’t been set in stone yet as that’s dependent on fundraising efforts.

Baldwin noted the location they’ve decided on is right by a river in the town.

She said the location will serve as a special reminder of the Baker Massacre, which happened along the Marias River in Montana those many years ago.

“Learning the history helps us understand our present situations, our present reality and really in remembrance of those that lost their lives during the massacre, but also those who have survived residential schools and the massacre,” Baldwin concluded.

“It’s an education piece that’s been missing and I think the more we’re educated, the more we understand, the more we can build connections and relationships with each other. I think that for me that’s the biggest take-away.”