For nearly 100 years, a residential school was located in Sault Ste. Marie, where Algoma University now stands.
Friday, a permanent reminder of the history of the site was unveiled and it is something survivors say was a long time coming.
Residential school survivors say this is a monumental day.
A new permanent exhibit titled "Reclaiming Shingwauk Hall: Healing and Reconciliation through Education" was unveiled at Algoma University.
Mike Cachagee is a residential school survivor.
"They can actually see the physical evidence of the residential schools and what happened here. And that means a lot to them. Before it was obscured, written in maybe pictures or some reference from here and there, but here they can walk in and actually see the history of the residential school." said Cachagee.
Krista McCracken is a researcher and curator for Shingwauk Residential School Centre.
"There has really been a desire there to be an honouring of this space for decades. To see it finally come to fruition, so many people have been so excited. But really, just this process has been driven by the survivors themselves. So, they were the ones who designed and picked what content was going into this exhibit. Because for many of them, they've referred to this as their home, and a need to honour this space appropriately." said McCracken.
Survivors say the display will allow them to continue their healing journey.
Mike Cacagee says the fact the history of residential schools is no longer being swept under the rug is a major step forward.
