By David Opinko / with files from The Canadian Press

169 “anomalies” discovered at former residential school site in northern Alberta

Mar 1, 2022 | 6:14 PM

KAPAWE’NO FIRST NATION, AB – The initial findings of a ground-penetrating radar search has unveiled the possibility of up to 169 child graves at a former residential school in Northern Alberta.

The Kapawe’no First Nation has released the results of phase one of their search into the former St. Bernard Mission, located approximately 151 kilometres southwest of Peace River.

Officials say they found 169 “anomalies” in the one-acre area that was part of the first phase, which would potentially represent children who died at the former residential school.

That includes 115 unmarked graves at the cemetery where other members of the community were buried as well.

The St. Bernard Mission includes a one-story church and a cemetery on 65 hectares of land in the Hamlet of Grouard.

March 15-21

Red Deer RCMP identify 10 impaired drivers during National Impaired Driving Prevention week

5m ago

RCMP seeking information

Red Deer middle schooler student threatened with knife downtown

21m ago

Calgary and Chestermere

Red Deer RCMP arrest three from southern Alberta following drug trafficking investigation

4h ago

It was founded in 1872 by the Roman Catholic Church and closed in 1961.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission heard testimony from survivors about serious sexual and physical abuse, manual labour, and the spread of illness at the school. It had a large population of Métis children.

The commission, which documented stories from survivors and issued a final report in 2015, has a record of 10 student deaths at St. Bernard.

Survivor Frank Tomkins testified that staff at the residential school once made a boy who could not control his bowels eat some of his own excrement.

Survivor Rita Evans went to the school for four years and told the commission there was a lot of religious instruction and drudge work, but little emphasis on classroom education.

“We were forever praying and not learning anything, and when I came out of Grade 6, my goodness, I didn’t know nothing you know except work, work,” Evans said.

An inspector, who visited the school 10 years before its closure, said it was developing into an orphanage.

An estimated 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children attended residential schools. The commission documented at least 4,100 deaths.

Premier Jason Kenney and Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by Kapawe’no First Nation:

“The discovery of anomalies consistent with unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school near High Prairie reminds us of the likelihood that there are unmarked graves of Indigenous children and youth at such sites across the province.

“These research findings can be traumatic for many Indian Residential School survivors and First Nations across the province.

“The Indian Residential School system was a wicked injustice that too often forcibly segregated children from their families and sought to supress Indigenous culture and language. Recorded instances of violence and abuse are part of the tragic memory and legacy of the system.

“We would like to thank the team from the University of Alberta’s Department of Archeology for working with the Kapawe’no First Nation on this important research at the site of the graveyard/St. Bernard Mission School.

“Alberta’s government has provided $8 million in funding for research and commemoration of residential school burial sites. Last week’s speech from the throne also reiterates the province’s commitment to erect a permanent memorial to residential school victims and survivors on the grounds of the Alberta legislature.”

Richard Feehan, NDP Critic for Indigenous Relations, made the following statement regarding the discovery of 169 potential graves at the former Grouard Mission residential school site.

“My heart goes out to all those overwhelmed by the grief this discovery will cause, especially the families and communities of those who lost loved ones.

“I am heartbroken at the tragic deaths of these young people, far from their homes and families.

“The horrific legacy of genocide is a stark reminder of how much work is ahead to advance true reconciliation in Alberta and across Canada, and to address the systemic racism Indigenous people face today.

“All orders of governments must commit to ensuring that every single recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is enacted.

“Six of the Commission’s 94 recommendations specifically address Missing Children and Burial information.

“We owe it to the children and their families to ensure these recommendations are implemented immediately.”

The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program has a hotline to help residential school survivors and their relatives suffering trauma invoked by the recall of past abuse. The number is 1-866-925-4419.

You can read the full phase one report summary here.

(With files from rdnewsNOW)