The six men who helped paint the words 'This Is Indian Land' on the side of the rail crossing are being revealed publicly — 50 years later — after breaking their vow of silence
The story behind the train bridge bearing the iconic words ‘This is Indian Land’ in Garden River First Nation has finally emerged after five decades.
The group dubbed the ‘original six’ — Bob, Darrell, Keith and Willie Boissoneau, along with Andre and Scott Lesage — went to the Garden River train bridge on a dark night in the fall of 1973 with the shared goal of making a statement with the guidance of their ancestors. “We did this at great risk, knowing that there was the likelihood that we’d be arrested, or apprehended or charged,” said Darrell Boissoneau during the ceremony, which was held on Highway 17B near the train bridge. “We made a vow back then that we’d never say who did it because of that.” “But after the passing of Willie, and after the passing of our brother Bob, I felt it was important that people needed to know — especially after 50 years,” he continued.
“We have many people that stop here, take pictures here — and it really signifies, to this day, how true this word is,” said Rickard during the commemoration. “This is Indian land.The six men would eventually repaint the bridge with the help of fellow community member Rick Nolan.
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