University of Manitoba
Before completing its work, the TRC issued a call for proposals from institutions wishing to host a permanent centre and archive for its records. The University, which had submitted a proposal along with a wide range of partner organizations, was chosen as host.
The TRC subsequently stated that the University of Manitoba was selected as host because it had “demonstrated a strong commitment to human rights research and promotion, and to Aboriginal peoples and governance. Its proposal stressed the highest standard of digital preservation, meaningful Survivor and community engagement, world-class archival experience and facilities, expertise in privacy and access, and financial stability.”
The Honourable Murray Sinclair said at the ceremony announcing the decision, “The proposal that we had received from the university was head and shoulders above some of the other proposals that we had received, because it talked about the importance of establishing this as a national centre. This is not just about Manitoba. This is not just about Western Canada. A National Research Centre for Residential Schools has to be about Canada. It has to ensure that all of Canada will benefit from the things that are going to occur here.”
NCTR’s spirit name – bezhig miigwan, meaning “one feather”.
Bezhig miigwan calls upon us to see each Survivor coming to the NCTR as a single eagle feather and to show those Survivors the same respect and attention an eagle feather deserves. It also teaches we are all in this together — we are all one, connected, and it is vital to work together to achieve reconciliation.