An interim report by the Williams Lake First Nation in British Columbia has revealed that at least 55 children died or disappeared while attending the St. Joseph’s Mission Indian Residential School, which is more than triple the number recorded in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation memorial register. The report indicates that investigators will finalize ground-penetrating radar surveys this year and hold meetings to discuss potential excavation, exhumation, repatriation, DNA testing, and genealogical mapping before deciding on digging up possible graves. While no confirmed human remains have been found yet, the report assures skeptics that there is an abundance of evidence supporting the legitimacy of the investigation.
The report acknowledges that some Canadians may find it uncomfortable or threatening to confront the colonial history and the damage caused by systems and institutions that have been promoted in the country for generations. However, it emphasizes that re-evaluating orthodox history is essential in bringing truth to light and is a necessary part of the nation’s evolution and growth. The investigation team has conducted two separate searches using ground-penetrating radar at the former school site, which have detected 159 possible unmarked graves. The Catholic-run school operated for nearly a century, from 1891 to 1981, approximately 500 kilometers northwest of Vancouver.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation memorial register lists only 16 children by name as having died while under the school’s care, while the additional 39 deaths or disappearances have been verified through archival documentation. The report states that over 61,000 documents and photos were received as part of the research. To ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation, the Williams Lake First Nation purchased the school site last year with the assistance of the provincial government. There are also plans in the works to reimagine the site as a place of healing. The investigation team is collaborating with various entities, including the BC Coroner’s Service, RCMP, and the B.C. government, to determine the circumstances under which excavation of potential graves and exhumation of human remains can take place.
The report mentions that early discussions are underway regarding the excavation, exhumation, identification, and repatriation of remains, and a memorandum of understanding is being developed. It emphasizes that no definitive processes are currently planned regarding excavation, and engagement sessions will be conducted before any decisions are made. The goal is to approach the investigation in a thorough and respectful manner, considering the sensitivity of the issue and the need to honor the memory of the children who suffered at the residential school. The report underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing the dark history of the residential school system in Canada and promoting healing and reconciliation within the nation.
