The Children’s Sacred Forest: A Monument to Memory, Healing, and Reconciliation

Beechwood Cemetery Foundation, in partnership with the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and the Assembly of 7 Generations, unveiled the Children’s Sacred Forest. This solemn and meaningful monument stands as a powerful tribute to the thousands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children who were taken from their families and communities, many never returning home, as a result of the residential school system.

A Monument of Reflection and Remembrance

At the heart of the Children’s Sacred Forest are three large boulders, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the enduring memory of these children. A central plaque on the middle boulder commemorates their lives, inviting visitors to pause, reflect, and honour their memory. This message is engraved in English, French, and Algonquin to emphasize the unity of diverse voices in the spirit of reconciliation.

The trilingual plaque reads: This sacred forest, and the stone commemorating it, are as enduring as our love for thousands of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children who never made it home from Canada’s ‘Indian Residential Schools’ between the 1870’s and the 1990’s.

These words are a poignant reminder of the past and a solemn commitment to never forget the lives lost and the families forever changed.

The Living Spirit of the Sacred Forest

Surrounding the boulders are seven dwarf pines, a living testament to the forest’s sacred and enduring mission. These trees, generously supplied by Trees for Life, were chosen for their unique characteristics. Each tree belongs to the species Pinus strobus (White Pine) and was selected with care to embody the spirit of childhood. These specific varieties—Ground Hugger White Pine, Niagara Falls White Pine, and Mini Twists White Pine—will grow only to the height of a child, symbolizing the innocence and potential of the young lives remembered here.

This thoughtful design emphasizes that the Sacred Forest is not only a place of remembrance but also a space for healing and growth. The dwarf pines, which will remain child-sized, are a poignant reminder of the children who were denied the opportunity to grow into adulthood.

The Sacred Symbolism of Numbers

The design of the Children’s Sacred Forest incorporates sacred Indigenous numerology, which adds deeper meaning to its features.

• The Number Seven - In many Indigenous cultures, the number seven holds profound spiritual significance. It often represents the Seven Sacred Teachings: love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth. These teachings serve as a moral compass, guiding individuals and communities toward harmony and balance. The seven pines in the Sacred Forest symbolize these teachings and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future generations.
• The Number Three - Universally, the number three is recognized as a sacred number, symbolizing completeness and balance. It is often associated with the cycle of life—birth, life, and death—and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things. The three boulders in the Sacred Forest reflect these principles, standing as enduring markers of the past, present, and future, and of the relationships between mind, body, and spirit.

A Place for Reflection and Reconciliation

The Children’s Sacred Forest is not just a memorial; it is a call to action and a place for ongoing education and engagement. It invites all visitors to reflect on the long and painful legacy of the residential school system and to participate in the journey of reconciliation. It is a space that honours the memories of those who were lost and reaffirms our collective responsibility to ensure such tragedies never happen again.

The creation of this Sacred Forest on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, a day of reflection and commitment to truth and reconciliation, underscores the importance of this ongoing work. The forest stands as a testament to the resilience of Indigenous communities and the shared hope for a future rooted in understanding, justice, and mutual respect.

Visit the Children’s Sacred Forest

We invite you to visit the Children’s Sacred Forest at Beechwood Cemetery and take a moment to experience its profound message. Whether through the symbolic boulders, the sacred number seven, or the living trees that embody the spirit of children, this space serves as a powerful reminder of the past and an enduring hope for the future. Let it inspire all of us to continue the work of reconciliation and to honour the memory of the children who never came home.