Investigation being launched at site of former residential school, B.C. First Nations announce
Three First Nations have launched an investigation into what happened to the students of a former residential school in North Vancouver.
The announcement was made by the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations at the site of St. Paul’s Indian Residential School in North Vancouver, which operated from 1899 to 1958 and was run by the Catholic Church. That school was closed due to fire safety concerns and was eventually replaced by St. Paul's Indian Day School.
The site is now used as a staff parking lot for St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School.
"Our intention here today is to begin a healing process for our survivors and for our people," Khelsilem, spokesperson for Squamish Nation said during the announcement.
"The three nations will be working together with the Catholic Archdiocese … to gather all information to honour and find those children who might not have gone home but attended St. Paul's Indian Residential School."
The First Nations said records show there are at least 12 unidentified children who died while attending the school between 1904 and 1913.
Khelsilem said many of the records nations have obtained to date are “piecemeal.”
A representative for the Archdiocese of Vancouver pledged “full cooperation” to make all records available and accessible, as well as mental health supports “in partnership with each nation.”
“We acknowledge and honour the truths of your experiences, and we apologize with deep humility for the harms that resulted from the role the church played, at this and all residential schools,” James Borkowski, the Archibishop’s delegate for operations said.
Chief Jen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, whose father Stanley attended St. Paul’s in the 1950s, called the announcement the “start of our healing journey.”
“I’m grateful he survived,” Thomas said. “Otherwise I wouldn’t be here today.”
And Chief Wayne Sparrow of the Musqueam Nation added: “I want to say on behalf of my community that we’re going to work with each and every one of you to get to the truth.”
In recent months, First Nations across Canada announced the discoveries of what are believed to be the remains of many other children suspected of dying at residential schools, some using ground-penetrating radar to analyze the area around the former school sites.
Data from ground-penetrating radar showed anomalies in the ground that are, based on other evidence including bones and stories from survivors, believed to be graves holding the bodies of children who never made it back home.
In May, the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc announced it identified the graves of 215 children near the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The announcement had a significant impact across Canada and some nations announced soon after that they would be following suit.
At the announcement, Khelsilem said the investigation will involve several steps. First, formal interviews will be conducted with survivors who attended the school and are willing to share their stories.
Khelsilem said their "accounts may assist in helping to narrow down or expand the investigation." As well, all records related to the school will be gathered from all levels of government, the Catholic Church and any other religious groups affiliated with the former school.
"After those two pieces have helped inform, the third step of the investigation is remote-sensing searched in defined areas of interest, which may include ground-penetrating radar studies or other suitable methods," Khelsilem said.
He acknowledged there are many unknowns about the path forward, including the timeline.
Byron Joseph, an elder with the Squamish Nation, offered this thought to the communities impacted as part of his opening prayer: “Keep your mind strong, keep your heart strong, helping one another, especially at this time.”
For immediate assistance to those who may need it, the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.