Search Uncovers 171 ‘Plausible Burials’ Near Ontario Residential School

An Ontario First Nation has announced the discovery of 171 anomalies, or “plausible burials” at a site near a former residential school.

Federal and provincial ministers were expected to meet with the First Nation Tuesday for discussions, including about resources to continue the investigation.

The anomalies were discovered at the site of the former St. Mary's Indian Residential School in Kenora, ON. More than six-thousand Indigenous children were sent there between 1897-1972.

“Both Canada and Ontario have continued to express their commitment to reconciliation, to the truth, and to healing of our communities,” Chief Chris Skead said in the release.

“Finding the truth and exercising caution on everything touched by this genocidal legacy comes at a price and it’s a price our Treaty partners need to be prepared to pay. That is true reconciliation.”

Most of the plausible burial sites were unmarked, except for five with grave markers.

Ontario Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford confirmed that he’s given his full support to Skead after hearing of the discovery.

“As we continue to uncover the truth of our collective past on the journey toward reconciliation, we will continue to support these investigations and will support healing for survivors, their families and community members suffering from mental health and addictions due to intergenerational trauma and harms inflicted by the Indian Residential School system,” he said in a statement.

Between 1897 and 1972, more than 6,000 Indigenous children attended the Catholic-run institution.

According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families and communities and sent to church-run residential schools beginning in the 19th century, a central element of a state-backed policy that amounted to cultural genocide.

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.

Call 1-866-925-4419.