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CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Virtual tour of former residential school captures the spirit of place
An immersive experience will take people through creaking doors and behind walls covered with peeling paint to learn about the Mohawk Institute, the longest-running residential school in Canada, prior to its restoration. Now the Woodland Cultural Centre — the former residential school site — which has been closed to the general public for renovations since 2019, is slated to reopen as a museum space on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The residential school in Brantford, Ont., about 100 kilometres southwest of Toronto, opened in 1828 and closed in 1970 after about 15,000 children from more than 60 communities across Canada had been forced to attend it. The virtual tour, a 50-minute immersive experience, shows the Mohawk institute in its rawest form just as renovations were beginning. Evidence of the children's scribbles, their names next to their Indian Residential School numbers, which were found behind the asbestos-laden tile and mouldy walls can be seen as the video takes viewers through the building. The tour also features testimonies from five of the residential school's survivors and archival images. Virtual tour guide Lorrie Gallant, Cayuga Nation from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, ON, said the renovated building probably appears how it was when it first opened in 1828. "What we didn't realize is that we captured something in that building that will never be there again. It'll never look that way ever again," she said. "It's like stories were trapped inside the building. And I think when they renovated it, some of those stories disappeared." The virtual tour was initially released as a resource for continuing education while the building was closed to the public in 2019 for renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic. It's since been updated with behind-the-scenes footage and a 15 to 20 minute introductory video in time for the Mohawk Institute's opening. Refuge for children When Gallant worked at the Woodland Cultural Centre as Museum Education Coordinator from 2008 to 2019, her office was on the third floor, where her grandfather would have slept when he was a student there around 1890. Those ties drove her to try and understand the impact it had on her own family. The third floor is where they found quilts inside the wall of a closet; a refuge for children hiding from their teachers, Gallant said. Tearing down walls revealed little notes, bottle caps and toys, evidence of "kids being kids" she said, in the midst of their horrible experiences. Retracing survivors' journeys for the virtual tour, Gallant said, was an emotional experience but a necessary one to reconcile with intergenerational traumas. "If you don't have the story about all of those little spaces in the building, then it's just an old building that something terrible happened in," Gallant said. One of the most significant stories she recalled is from survivor John Elliott who passed away this January. Elliot told her every time he ran away from school he would be punished and locked in a closet with only water and a pail to go to the bathroom and he recalled his friend receiving the same punishment. The closet was on the way to the cafeteria. Gallant said Elliot would save the bread from his meal, and "pound it down really thin, like paper, and he would slide it under the door on his way by" to give to his friend. She said it's this compassion students had for each that helped them survive. These stories have inspired people to create a better future not just for survivors but also for non-Indigenous people because their stories are intrinsically connected, she said. 'Save the Evidence' Shane Powless, a video specialist for Thru the RedDoor, an independent Indigenous production studio based at Six Nations of the Grand River, helped create the virtual tour. He said there were elements of filming the project that were terrifying and changed his perspective from shooter to student. "When I closed the door, I actually felt like I was him," he said, recalling Elliot's testimony. "It was really sad because I can imagine, I could almost hear the kids walking by or the people yelling at him, or they slid slices of bread [to] him underneath the little crack in the door." Powless said he learned much of the history of the former residential school while he was filming the virtual tour, despite growing up there where his father worked and often brought him as a boy. Jake Jamieson, the Woodland Cultural Centre's artistic and programming director, said the new video content will reveal the progress on the restoration of the Mohawk Institute and the history of the institution over 140 years. In addition to the virtual tour other educational programming will be available including in-person tours and a public screening of the tour will be available on Aug. 20, Jamieson said. He said back in 2014, when the building was so structurally damaged many wanted it torn down, a survivor said the evidence and legacy needed to be saved so those stories could be shared. That's when Woodland Cultural Centre launched the 'Save the Evidence' fundraising campaign a decade ago, to help restore the building. Minor renovations were done until the building was closed for more work in 2019. Throughout the renovations survivors were consulted, Jamieson said, because they wanted to ensure that visitors were seeing the authentic residential experience they had. Sherlene Bomberry, Cayuga from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, ON, is a survivor featured in the virtual tour, and was a student from 1966 to 1970 when the school closed. Her grandmother also attended the Mohawk Institute in 1917. She said she's done a lot of healing work and that these shared stories have helped her reconciliation with her family's history too. For a quarter of a century, she never spoke about her experience. She said the virtual tour helps people understand what happened.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
‘Parker's memory is still alive': Community event honours baby found dead along Brantford trail 20 years ago
Sunday marked a somber anniversary in the City of Brantford. Twenty years ago, on July 28, 2005, a woman was walking with her dog on a trail near Dufferin Avenue and Parkside Drive when she discovered the body of a full-term baby, wrapped in a towel. Officials named him Baby Parker because of his proximity to Parkside Drive. Margaret Littlewood was the person who discovered his remains. 'I was so upset,' she told CTV News in 2016. The baby's mother has never been identified, despite extensive efforts by the Brantford Police Service. To mark the 20th anniversary of the discovery, Parker's Project hosted a community walk. 'Parker's memory is still alive and well, even if it's small,' said facilitator, Shalyn Wilson. 'We just really love Parker. At this point, he's like a member of our family.' The parent-led advocacy group said they are stepping up to act as the baby's family. 'Parker's Project began in 2017 with a simple, but powerful mission: to ensure that no parent ever feels so overwhelmed, isolated or unsupported that they believe they have no options,' a post on the group's Facebook page reads. The remembrance walk began at 10 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery – where Baby Parker was ultimately laid to rest. Shortly after, Wilson, along with her two children, sang happy birthday and shared cupcakes at the baby's grave site as a way to commemorate the solemn anniversary. 'My priority is making sure that Parker isn't forgotten.' baby parker anniversary Shalyn Wilson (M) and her two kids, Blake (L) and Harmony (R) at Mount Hope Cemetery on July 27, 2025. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV News) Investigation details Following the discovery of Baby Parker's remains, Brantford Police conducted the largest canvass in service history. 'Hundreds of DNA samples were collected from members of the public living in the neighbourhood where Baby Parker was found,' they said in a 2023 release. 'The samples were sent to the Center of Forensic Sciences; however, none were found to have a biological link to Baby Parker.' Several 'persons of interests' have been identified over the last two decades. Police said all of them have been cleared as the child's potential parent. Baby Parker search Police investigate the discovery of a dead baby near Parkside Drive in Brantford in this file image from video taken in July 2005. On Aug. 3, 2005, less than a week after Baby Parker was found, investigators said they received a letter from a person who claimed to be the infant's mother. Police released portions of the letter in hopes that someone would recognize the handwriting. 'The letter, purportedly written by the mother of Baby Parker, indicated that she would be in contact with police in the coming days,' police said. But no one ever came forward. Brantford Police said Ontario Provincial Police were previously involved in the investigation, and even helped generate a profile of the mother. In 2005, the mother was believed to have been between 13 and 17 years old, with a connection to the Holmedale neighbourhood. 'The pregnancy was possibly kept secret by the mother from those close to her,' police said. CTV Kitchener: Baby Parker cold case Continued appeal Despite the passage of time, investigators said they remain committed to finding Baby Parker's mother, father or anyone else who can them close the case. 'Police continue to believe that there are members of the public who have information that will be beneficial to the case,' police said. Baby Parker Gave 18 years July 2023 Baby Parker's headstone at Mount Hope Cemetery in Brantford decorated with birthday decor to mark the 18 years since his passing. (Stefanie Davis/CTV News) They also believe the utilization of new investigative technology could 'help build a familial lineage to move the case forward.' Anyone with any information related to the case of Baby Parker is asked to contact Det. Const. Chris Fleming at 519-756-7050, ext. 2851. Push for safe surrender options Wilson said the goal of Sunday's small gathering was not only to honour the infant but also raise awareness for maternal mental health. 'In Canada, there is no legal way to abandon a baby,' she explained. 'A long-term goal is to get a Hope's Cradle here in Brantford. Somebody with a newborn can put their newborn in and they leave with a packet of information and resources and then an alarm goes off so that firefighters or whoever is in charge of that Hope's Cradle box is able to handle the baby, make sure they are medically okay and find them a new home.' Parker's Project is calling for increased provincial support and the expansion of these safe surrender initiatives they believe could help prevent similar tragedies like Baby Parker's. 'The more support that we can provide and the more that we help people through the tough times, the more people will succeed and the less we'll see situations like Parker's.' - With files from Heather Senoran
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Heat warning issued by Grand Erie Public Health 24 hours after cancelling last alert
The sun is shining in this undated stock image (Pixabay/Pexels). The Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) has once again issued a heat warning for the Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk regions. The alert was issued on Sunday at 11:16 a.m., 24 hours after the agency cancelled their last heat warning. Temperatures on Sunday were expected to reach up to 30 to 34 degrees Celsius in Brant County, feeling more like 35 with the humidex, according to Environment Canada. The weather agency also reported heat warnings in effect for much of southwestern Ontario, including Waterloo Region. They expected the heat and sunny conditions to continue into the week. GEPH said heat warnings are issued when daytime temperatures are expected to reach 31 degrees Celsius and above with overnight temperatures more than 20 degrees Celsius or when the humidex is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius. Signs of heat illness Heat illness is a serious concern when the mercury rises, especially in older adults, infants, young children, pregnant people, those with physical or mental illnesses, people with mobility issues, those who work outside and the homeless community. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Headache Nausea or vomiting Dizziness or fainting Extreme thirst Dark urine and decreased urination Intense fatigue Confusion or lack of coordination Skin rash Muscle cramps Heavy sweating Rapid breathing and heartbeat Heat stroke, meanwhile, is considered a medical emergency. Those symptoms include: High body temperature Very hot, red skin Confusion or change in consciousness Dizziness or fainting If someone is experiencing heat stroke, experts advise moving them to a cool place, giving them water and placing ice packs on their body. Call 911 immediately. Beating the heat The key to avoiding heat illness is to plan ahead. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Know the weather forecast before going outside Modify your plans according to the weather Drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water, even before you feel thirsty Avoid drinks that are high in sugar, caffeine or alcohol Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric Seek shade Avoid sun exposure if you can Take breaks as needed Avoid using your oven Take a cool shower or bath Take a break by spending a few hours in a cool place Close blinds and shades, Turn on air conditioning or use a fan Cooling centres The best way to get relief from the heat and humidity is to seek out a designated cooling centre. The Region of Waterloo has locations listed on their website. They include libraries, community centres, museums and regional offices. The map also includes a list of public swimming pools and splash pads. Protecting your pets Leaving pets inside a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes, could be dangerous. Dogs can experience heatstroke, which could lead to organ failure and, ultimately, death. Signs of an overheated pet include: Excessive panting Drooling Vomiting Collapsing Lethargy Tongue can appear red or hang out of their mouth If your pet is suffering from the heat, it's a good idea to gradually cool them down. Experts suggest using a cool blanket or towel that is wet. Avoid using ice. Owners should keep pets at home when the temperature climbs but if they need to go outside, keep them off the pavement as much as possible, only go for a short walk, or take them out in the morning or evening when it's cooler.
CBC
4 days ago
- General
- CBC
Trains restarted day after CN derailment in Paris, Ont.: Via Rail
Trains are moving again after a Canadian National Railway Co. train derailed in southwestern Ontario halting passenger train service. Via Rail says in a statement that it received line clearance Saturday following Friday's freight derailment near Brantford, Ont. About two dozen Canadian National Railway Co. railcars and one locomotive derailed and remained upright Friday. CN spokesman Tom Bateman says crews with the company safely restored train service Saturday morning at the site of the derailment. However, he says workers will remain in the area for several days, and delays in train traffic may be necessary to allow crews to continue working safely in the area. Bateman says there were no injuries, leaks or fires reported, and the cause of the derailment remains under investigation. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Friday it was sending a team of investigators to Paris, Ont., to gather evidence and determine what happened.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Trains remain halted one day after CN derailment in southwestern Ontario: Via Rail
The Via Rail station in Windsor, Ont. on July 25, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) Via Rail says trains continue to be halted one day after a Canadian National Railway Co. train derailment of about two dozen railcars and one locomotive. A spokesperson for Via says traffic near Brantford, Ont., remains halted due to the derailment, and it is waiting for line clearance from the infrastructure owner. CN spokesman Tom Bateman says crews with the company safely restored train service Saturday morning at the site of the derailment. However, he says workers will remain in the area for several days, and delays in train traffic may be necessary to allow crews to continue working safely in the area. Bateman says there were no injuries, leaks or fires reported, and the cause of the derailment remains under investigation. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Friday it was sending a team of investigators to Paris, Ont., to gather evidence and determine what happened. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2025.
