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The Justice for our Stolen Children camp has been dismantled, but the protesters have left their mark on Wascana Park.
Walking around the west lawn across from the Saskatchewan Legislature, it is easy to recognize the signs of a campsite that remained for nearly 200 days.
Circular outlines and patches of trampled dead grass mark the spots where teepees and food tables once stood. A few wood chips remained where the wood pile was but even the ashes of the ceremonial fire had been cleaned up.
Red ribbons tied to tree branches and a few small stones with written messages of love for dead family members were also hidden in the bushes by the site.
Patches of dead grass, wood chips from the pile and ribbons tied to trees were left at the site of the Wascana Park teepee protest camp. pic.twitter.com/CYKd1nMQum
— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) September 13, 2018
On Thursday morning a set of branches the length of teepee poles were tied together next to the site of the ceremonial fire. A couple of visitors passing through the park stopped to read a copy of the court order to vacate the park which was attached to poles on the site.
“I kind of feel numb right now,” said Finn Burke Eggertson, a university student who said he supported the protesters and learned a lot about the issues facing First Nations people while speaking to the organizers.
“This is Treaty 4 land, they have a right to protest here.”
Circles of worn grass, branches for a teepee and copies of the court order remain on the site of what once was the Justice for Our Stolen Children Camp. pic.twitter.com/bA3VNvrnD1
— Adriana Christianson (@AdrianaC_JME) September 13, 2018
He wasn’t the only curious person who stopped to read the court documents before they were removed around 11 a.m.
A couple of other people walking past expressed frustration to 980 CJME’s reporter that the protesters were allowed to break the bylaw against camping. They went on to ask exactly who will have to pay to restore the lawn.
Government workers in orange vests could also be seen surveying the grounds between 10 and 11 a.m.
Check back for updates on this story.