The End Is Not in Sight: More Unmarked Graves Found
Photo Credit: Williams Lake First Nation
Since the first unmarked graves were found at the former Kamloops Residential School in May 2021, more than 1,800 unmarked graves have been found across Canada. The Canadian government has been working with many Indigenous groups such as the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in Kamloops, the T'exelcemc Williams Lake First Nation, Anishinabewaki people in Ontario, and the Michif people in Kenora, Ontario to search residential school sites. By late January 2023, more than 2,000 potential graves had been found across Canada.
Sixty-six ‘reflections’ from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) indicate the potential burials of children attending the St. Joseph’s Mission residential school near Williams Lake, BC, after the discovery of 93 possible unmarked graves were made a year prior. These searches only show 34 of the 782 hectares associated with the former school’s site, most likely meaning more graves or reflections are to be found.
Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Stellars emphasized at a news conference on Jan. 25 that this is only the work done to date. The site will be scanned again and exhumed in future, with the hopes of granting the mourning nations closure.
Farther east, around 2,000 anomalies were detected using ground-penetrating radar, likely more unmarked graves of children attending a school in Lebret, Saskatchewan, according to the Toronto Star. This shocking discovery was matched with the finding of a child's jawbone from over 100 years ago. Another 171 likely graves were found in Kenora, Ontario, The Star reported.
Out on Vancouver Island, a total of 17 new unmarked graves were found. It was confirmed that at least 67 students passed away attending the Port Alberni residential school, more than double the 29 confirmed deaths on the Truth and Reconciliation Memorial Register.
Photo Credit: Village of Lebret/Facebook via Toronto Star
Interviews with survivors aided in finding the newest graves that have been uncovered, and will continue to take place in the near future with survivors willing to share their stories and experiences. More scans using radar are also to be done in future to aid in the search.
The Canadian government has responded by releasing a agreement, showing that they’ll be supervising the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), an organization based out of The Hague, to help provide Indigenous groups with options for unmarked burials.
The aim of the project is to keep Indigenous voices involved in the discussion of what happens with the burials and to continue reconciling what has happened.
"The families of the missing are central to addressing the issue of missing children and unmarked burials," said ICMP Director-General Kathryne Bomberger in a Feb. 17 press release with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. "Their needs, knowledge and views must lead the way."