Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford, June  15, 2021.  (via YouTube) Minister of Indigenous Affairs Greg Rickford, June 15, 2021. (via YouTube)
Windsor

Ontario supports identification of Indian Residential School burial sites

A search will be conducted to investigate, identify, protect, and commemorate Indian Residential School burial sites across Ontario.

The government has committed $10-million over three years to complete the investigation. The funding will also help to make sure all of the searches are done in a culturally sensitive way and will ensure mental health support for Indian Residential School survivors and their families as the discoveries are made.

“Like all Ontarians, I was heartbroken by the news of a burial site containing the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the former Indian Residential School in Kamloops, British Columbia,” said Premier Doug Ford. “That is why our government is partnering with Indigenous communities to address the loss of generations who are no longer with us and the continued loss experienced by residential school survivors and their families. As we advance meaningful reconciliation, it is important that all of us continue to deepen our collective understanding of the legacy of the Indian Residential School system.”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified 12 locations of unmarked burial sites in Ontario, but it is expected that there are more. At least 426 children who attended Residential School in Ontario are known to have died while an unknown number are still missing. There were 18 Indian Residential Schools operated in Ontario between 1870 and 1991.

“Survivors have long shared the truths about the missing children. The province is now listening. Our Nations must lead this important and sacred work with the support from the province. We require access to funding, technical expertise, mental health supports and justice,” said Former Grand Chief, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Alvin Fiddler. “We want to find our children and bring them home.”

Ontario is working in collaboration with Indigenous leaders to establish processes that will guide the work related to Indian Residential School site identification. Experts from throughout the province will be on hand to support the search however Indigenous leaders will give direction on how the searches should be conducted.

“This announcement acknowledges the negative impacts these schools had, and continue to have, within our communities. Most importantly, it charts a course of action to begin to address them. We appreciate this tangible action and will continue to work with Ontario and Canada to bring the closure that our communities deserve," said Metis Nation of Ontario Regional Councillor Theresa Stenlund.

Work is expected to begin immediately to build on the current work already underway throughout the province in response to the actions set out in the Truth and Reconciliation report. Initial site identification will be the first step in a much more extensive process, pending the wishes of the affected families and communities.

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