Five Years After Kamloops Graves Announcement: Unmarked Graves Still Unconfirmed
Five years after Kamloops graves announcement, not a single confirmed burial site has been found. Here's what we know
Image: National Post
Five years after the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced the discovery of 215 unmarked graves near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, Canada, no confirmed burial sites have been found. The initial claims have been revised, and the investigation continues to face challenges, including the need for further research and community consultation.
- 01The original claim of 215 children's remains has since been referred to as 'anomalies' and 'probable burials' by the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation.
- 02Ground-penetrating radar surveys have identified potential grave locations, but no excavations have confirmed any graves as of now.
- 03The federal government allocated $320 million for investigating missing children and unmarked graves, with $216.6 million already spent on community support.
- 04Other First Nations, such as Cowessess and Ktunaxa, reported finding unmarked graves, but these findings also remain unverified through excavation.
- 05Cultural sensitivities and the need for extensive community consultation have delayed potential excavations at the Kamloops site.
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In May 2021, the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation announced the discovery of 215 unmarked graves near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, Canada, using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). This announcement sparked national and international outrage, leading to widespread media coverage and political responses, including the lowering of flags at federal buildings. However, five years later, no confirmed burial sites have been found, and the First Nation has revised its messaging, referring to the sites as 'anomalies' rather than confirmed graves. Ongoing investigations have revealed that while potential grave locations have been identified, no excavations have taken place to validate these findings. Other Indigenous communities have reported similar discoveries, but these too remain unverified. The federal government established a $320 million fund to support investigations into missing children and unmarked graves, with significant funds already allocated to various Indigenous communities. Cultural sensitivities and the complexities of community consultation continue to hinder excavation efforts, emphasizing the need for a careful and respectful approach to this sensitive issue.
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The ongoing investigation into unmarked graves affects Indigenous communities seeking closure and healing from the traumatic legacy of residential schools.
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