Global Courant 2023-04-20 23:20:00
The Shishalh Nation on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast says ground-penetrating radar has identified what are believed to be 40 unmarked graves of children at or near the site of the former St. Augustine’s Residential School.
A statement from the nation says it has listened to seniors and survivors of the residential school and the shared stories of missing children have now been confirmed.
The country says ground-penetrating radar is one of the tools it used in the archaeological project, which also includes interviews with survivors and accounts of documented historical events.
The shishalh First Nation says it is working with the University of Saskatchewan to find the remains of children who have not returned from St. Augustine’s Residential School.
Terry Clark, an associate professor at the university, said they always had plenty of evidence of the remains and are confident there are many more unmarked graves in the area.
Chief Lenora Joe says that they know the truth and that they conducted the search to show the little ones that they have not been forgotten.
“The children have spoken and we are listening. We have heard their voices,” the statement said.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on April 20, 2023.
