A search of the first Sagkeeng nation in Manitoba has identified 190 soil abnormalities. Work is now underway to determine whether these are unmarked graves of residential school students.
Sagkeeng First Nation chief Derrick Henderson confirmed Monday that ground penetration radar had found 137 anomalies in one area of the community and 53 anomalies in another area.
Although these anomalies were not found at the site of the former residential school, Henderson said the anomalies are soil alterations that could fit the criteria for possible unmarked burial sites, but it is too early to tell. – for sure.
“We don’t know what’s underneath yet, but that’s where we’ll start next,” Henderson said, adding that they’ve discarded pipes, water lines, and sewer lines.
“Right now it’s an indication that there’s something there. We need to find out what it is and we’ll definitely deal with it at that point.”
Sagkeeng First Nation began its search in June 2021 after the discovery of unmarked graves in Kamloops, BC, and other ancient residential schools across the country. Crews had been using a drone and ground-penetrating radar technology to search the former Fort Alexander School site where the band’s board office now stands.
TIME ACCOUNTS AT SCHOOL “DISORDERS” ARE EXEMPTED IN THE COMMUNITY
The school was built in 1905 and was run by the Catholic Church. Although it ended its residential school operations in 1970, it continued to operate as a day school for several years. According to the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation, several students attempted to flee the school, including a case in which two boys drowned while trying to escape by boat in 1928.
Fort Alexander Residential School. (Source: University of British Columbia / IRSHDC)
The school was notorious for abuse, with survivors reporting times of famine and harsh discipline to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
What happened inside its walls prompted the Manitoba RCMP to launch a large-scale investigation last year, investigating allegations of sexual abuse.
“From the conversations we’ve had with some of our seniors and some of the survivors, they’ve said some things that are pretty disturbing about missing children and some things that happen in residential school,” Henderson told CTV News, and he added that he can. “I’m not sure if there are any unmarked graves in Sagkeeng.
“I think when the day comes that if I have to do it, if that’s what we find out, I’ll make that statement.”
DISCOVERY CAN BE AN ACTIVATOR, SAYS THE SOCIETY OF SURVIVORS
Henderson called for patience from the community as work continues to determine the nature of these anomalies. He said he will meet with community pipe carriers for guidance on next steps, adding that the search will be community-driven.
The chief presented this information to Sagkeeng members during a community party on Friday, accompanied by commemorative songs for the missing children and a prayer from the community elders.
“It will be reactivated, it will probably traumatize our survivors of residential schools again, so we need to get support,” Henderson said, adding that support is available for survivors in the community.
Bruce Allen, a support worker for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, told CTV News that findings like this have a huge impact on survivors and their families.
“They will definitely be triggered and come back to remember those sad and painful memories of their time at their school,” he said.
While the findings may cause pain, Allen said it can also lead to future healing.
“For reconciliation to take place, we need the whole truth to come out. Right now we are still in the stage of truth and reconciliation will have to come later.”
If you are a former student of a struggling residential school or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line 24 hours a day: 1-866-925- 4419. Additional resources and mental health support are available for Indigenous people here.
-with archives of Mason DePatie of CTV and the Canadian press.