Regina seeks Indigenous educators to help develop resources for MMIWG2S+ commemoration site

A future public site in Regina commemorating Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+) is seeking input from knowledge keepers and Elders to develop resources for the project.

Mihko Achokos Iskwêw (Red Star Woman) is a land-based commemorative space in Regina’s Māmowimīwēyitamōwin Park to honour, recognize and acknowledge the significance and impact of MMIWG2S+.

Entering its final phase, the project is seeking Indigenous educators, historians, and writers to help develop educational resources for the site on Indigenous truth, histories, knowledge, and Treaty 4’s legacy.

“We want to encourage anyone to apply to help develop materials that could be used for interpretative content like education, digital storytellings, and historical information,” said Robyn Bird, Manager of Community and Cultural Development at the City of Regina.

“We really want it to be as diverse as possible. We want to provide as many ways as we can to communicate the stories and share the history around this site,” said Bird.

The site itself centres on a circular gathering space with a ceremonial fire at its heart. Extending from the centre will be stone seating, paths, and Grandfather boulders anchored by a steel retaining wall designed by Brianna LaPlante.

The grounds will also be planted with native plants and traditional medicines.

Applications will be reviewed by the Knowledge Collective, a community-led advisory group that was formed in 2026. Since its inception, Bird said the project has been led by the community to reflect what they would to see in a MMIWG2S+ dedicated site.

“We wanted this as a place where everyone feels welcomed. Where people can go, remember, and reflect. It’s also a place where we invite people to learn and understand more (about MMIWG2S+),” said Bird. “We want it to encourage awareness, dialogue, and action.”

As part of the final phase of the Red Star Woman project, Bird said they’re developing placards around the site, as well as educational resources and stories that will be available online or through a QR code. Bird said they are working with their Knowledge Collective to actively find ways to share knowledge not only around the site, but throughout the City of Regina.

“We want to potentially to offer a class through the school system to learn about some of the histories and education regarding (MMIWG2S+) as well as to potentially be a destination where you can bring your class or school and learn through an interactive site,” said Bird.

The project, which started in 2019 as a request from Reconciliation Regina to take action on the Calls to Justice, is a public project, that at its heart, is very personal, said Bird.

“Every single person on our committee who has been involved in the project has experienced the loss of someone who has gone missing,” said Bird.

“So we are doing this in a very, very thoughtful way – taking all our direction and vision from the community and people who are working in our subgroups.”

Construction for Mihko Achokos Iskwêw (Red Star Woman) is expected to be complete in the fall of 2027. Anyone interested in helping with the project is encouraged to email Regina’s culture department.