George Gordon First Nation announces 14 potential unmarked burial sites at former Sask. residential school
WARNING: This story accommodates distressing particulars.
Leaders of George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan introduced Wednesday that 14 potential unmarked burial websites had been discovered near the positioning of the previous Gordon’s Indian Residential Faculty.
George Gordon First Nation’s chief and council and the band’s residential college cemetery committee introduced the outcomes of a geophysical investigation Wednesday afternoon.
Chief Byron Bitternose addressed the media, saying the invention of the 14 doable burial websites. He additionally mentioned the search is just not full.
“In upcoming months this space will probably be a precedence, an space for continued looking out,” mentioned Bitternose.
“It’s my hope that sooner or later we will inform our youngsters the entire story.”
A complete of 4 areas inside the First Nation have been searched, he mentioned. One web site of excessive chance was detected.
Whereas the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) information can’t discern if the websites are graves of youngsters, George Gordon First Nation member Sarah Longman says there’s a excessive chance.
“The GPR machines will detect anomalies buried inside the floor,” she mentioned.
“You search for recurring patterns, so that you search for patterns in comparable measurement, comparable form and comparable depths. These items, these recurring patterns are the doable burial areas.”
A previous information launch from the neighborhood, positioned about 95 kilometres north of Regina, was scarce with particulars however mentioned work was underway for months and the work was troublesome.
The discharge mentioned Wednesday’s announcement would come with outcomes from the primary geophysical investigation.
The Nationwide Centre for Fact and Reconciliation’s memorial for kids who died or went lacking at residential faculties lists almost 50 names tied to the establishment at Gordon’s.
The establishment was established in 1876 by the Anglican Church of Canada, which operated it till 1946, when it was taken over by the Indian and Eskimo Welfare Fee and ultimately the federal government of Canada.
- Have you learnt of a kid who by no means got here dwelling from residential college? Or somebody who labored at one? We want to hear from you. E-mail our Indigenous-led group investigating the impacts of residential faculties at wherearethey@cbc.ca
It was expanded in 1888 to deal with college students earlier than the primary rendition was destroyed by fireplace in 1929. It was rebuilt, however points with water and upkeep would go away it closed once more for prolonged durations of time between 1947 and 1953.
It could turn out to be one of many final residential faculties to shut within the nation when it shuttered in 1996.
Shattering the Silence: The Hidden History of Indian Residential Schools in Saskatchewan book, revealed by the College of Regina, cites federal authorities paperwork linking a number of scholar deaths and the a long time of sexual abuse which passed off at Gordon’s.
In 1993 a former worker pled responsible to fees associated to sexual assaulting college students on the establishment’s residence between 1968 and 1984.
Assist is obtainable for anybody affected by their expertise at residential faculties, and people who are triggered by the newest stories.
A nationwide Indian Residential Faculty Disaster Line has been set as much as present help for survivors and people affected. Individuals can entry emotional and disaster referral providers by calling the 24-hour nationwide disaster line: 1-866-925-4419. A Saskatchewan-based line is now obtainable by calling 306-522-7494.
