www.cbc.ca
Open in
urlscan Pro
23.78.2.183
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tk-eml%C3%BAps-te-secw%C3%A9pemc-215-children-former-kamloops-india...
Submission Tags: demotag1 demotag2 Search All
Submission: On April 19 via api from IE — Scanned from CA
Submission Tags: demotag1 demotag2 Search All
Submission: On April 19 via api from IE — Scanned from CA
Form analysis 1 forms found in the DOM
<form class="searchForm">
<div class="search-autocomplete">
<div id="gn-compact-search-suggestions-status" class="a11y" role="status" aria-atomic="true" aria-live="polite"></div><input id="gn-compact-search" class="searchInput" data-cy="search-bar-input" name="query" placeholder="Search CBC.ca"
type="search" aria-haspopup="listbox" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" aria-autocomplete="both" aria-controls="gn-compact-search-autocomplete" aria-describedby="gn-compact-search-autocomplete-assistiveHint" aria-label="Search CBC.ca"><span
class="a11y" id="gn-compact-search-autocomplete-assistiveHint">When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.</span>
</div><button class="searchButton" data-cy="search-bar-button">Search</button>
</form>Text Content
Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
Menu
When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter
to select.
Search
Search
Sign In
QUICK LINKS
* News
* Sports
* Radio
* Music
* Listen Live
* TV
* Watch
* news
* Top Stories
* Local
* Climate
* World
* Canada
* Politics
* Indigenous
* Business
* The National
* Health
* Entertainment
* Science
* CBC News Investigates
* Go Public
* About CBC News
* Being Black in Canada
* More
* Health
* Entertainment
* Science
* CBC News Investigates
* Go Public
* About CBC News
* Being Black in Canada
Remains of 215 children found buried at former B.C. residential school, First
Nation says | CBC News Loaded
British Columbia
REMAINS OF 215 CHILDREN FOUND BURIED AT FORMER B.C. RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, FIRST
NATION SAYS
Preliminary findings from a survey of the grounds at the former Kamloops Indian
Residential School have uncovered the remains of 215 children buried at the
site, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation says.
TK’EMLÚPS TE SECWÉPEMC SAY GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR WAS USED TO LOCATE REMAINS
Courtney Dickson, Bridgette Watson · CBC News · Posted: May 27, 2021 9:58 PM PDT
| Last Updated: May 29, 2021
The former Kamloops Indian Residential School is seen on Tk’emlups te Secwépemc
First Nation in Kamloops, B.C., on May 27, 2021. The remains of 215 children
have been found buried on the site, the First Nation said. (Andrew Snucins/The
Canadian Press)
SOCIAL SHARING
* Facebook
0
* X
0
* Email
0
* Reddit
0
* LinkedIn
0
LATEST UPDATE: Since this story was first published, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc
First Nation has updated its findings and clarified that what was detected in
the ground-penetrating radar survey were about 200 potential burial sites. Read
the full story here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING: This story contains details some readers may find distressing.
Preliminary findings from a survey of the grounds at the former Kamloops Indian
Residential School have uncovered the remains of 215 children buried at the
site, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation said Thursday.
The First Nation said the remains were confirmed last weekend near the city
of Kamloops, in B.C.'s southern Interior.
In a statement, Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc said it hired a specialist
in ground-penetrating radar to carry out the work, and that its Language and
Culture Department oversaw the project to ensure it was done in a culturally
appropriate and respectful way. The release did not specify the company or
individual involved, or how the work was completed.
"To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths," Tk'emlúps te
Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir said in the statement.
"Some were as young as three years old. We sought out a way to confirm that
knowing out of deepest respect and love for those lost children and their
families, understanding that Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc is the final resting place
of these children."
* Remembering children who died at residential schools
Casimir told CBC that the findings are "preliminary" and a report will be
provided by the specialist next month.
Speaking Friday, Casimir said community members are still "grappling" with the
shock of the news as leadership looks at what steps to take next.
"For one, we need to honour these children," she told CBC's Daybreak Kamloops.
RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL IN OPERATION UNTIL 1969
Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc said they are working with the BC Coroners Service,
contacting the students' home communities, protecting the remains and working
with museums to find records of these deaths.
In a statement to CBC, Lisa Lapointe, B.C.'s chief coroner, said the Coroners
Service was alerted to the discovery on Thursday.
"We are early in the process of gathering information and will continue to work
collaboratively with the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc and others as this sensitive
work progresses," Lapointe said.
"We recognize the tragic, heartbreaking devastation that the Canadian
residential school system has inflicted upon so many, and our thoughts are with
all of those who are in mourning today."
The Kamloops Indian Residential School was in operation from 1890 to 1969, when
the federal government took over administration from the Catholic Church to
operate it as a residence for a day school, until closing in 1978.
Up to 500 students would have been registered at the school, according to the
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). Those children would have
come from First Nations communities across B.C. and beyond.
The main administrative building of the former school is pictured in 1970.
(Department of Citizenship and Immigration- Information Division / Library and
Archives Canada)
According to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, director of the Indian Residential School
History and Dialogue Centre at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver,
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was set up in 2008 to find out what
happened in residential schools was told 50 deaths occurred at the Kamloops
institution.
She said "massive ongoing problems" with historical records, including
those "held by certain Catholic entities that they will not release" have made
it very hard to understand accurately what happened.
Turpel-Lafond said the discovery confirms what community survivors have said for
years — that many children went to the school and never returned. She also said
federal agents often moved children around, so it is possible some of those
found are from other First Nations communities.
Turpel-Lafond also has questions about how these children died given the rampant
sexual and physical abuse documented in residential schools.
"There may be reasons why they wouldn't record the deaths properly and that they
weren't treated with dignity and respect because that was the whole purpose of
the residential school ... to take total control of Indian children, to remove
their culture, identity and connection to their family," she said Friday on
CBC's The Early Edition.
'NO WORDS' TO DESCRIBE GRIEF: UBCIC
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) said the announcement Thursday would
deeply affect Indigenous people in B.C. and across the country.
"That this situation exists is sadly not a surprise and illustrates the damaging
and lasting impacts that the residential school system continues to have on
First Nations people, their families and communities,'' FNHA CEO Richard Jock
wrote in a statement.
Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir said community members are
still 'grappling' with the shock of the news as leadership looks at what steps
to take next. (Andrew Snucins/The Canadian Press)
On Friday, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) said it mourned
alongside the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc.
"There are no words to express the deep mourning that we feel as First Nations
people, and as survivors, when we hear an announcement like this," wrote Grand
Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the UBCIC.
"Today we honour the lives of those children, and hold prayers that they, and
their families, may finally be at peace."
It is estimated more than 150,000 children attended residential schools in
Canada from the 1830s until the last school closed in 1997.
MANY KIDS NEVER RETURNED HOME FROM SCHOOLS
The NCTR estimates about 4,100 children died at the schools, based on death
records, but has said the true total is likely much higher. The Truth and
Reconciliation Commission said large numbers of Indigenous children who were
forcibly sent to residential schools never returned home.
Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Marc Miller said in a tweet Thursday he
had been in touch with Casimir to offer his support.
Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Carolyn Bennett said in a tweet
that the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available for former
residential school students and others looking for support. It can be utilized
by calling 1-866-925-4419.
A plaque is seen outside of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
(Andrew Snucins/The Canadian Press)
During Friday's radio interview, Casimir ended the conversation with a message
aimed directly at Ottawa.
"It's all good and well to the federal government to make gestures of goodwill
and support regarding the tragedy," said Casimir. "There is an important
ownership and accountability to both Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc and all communities
and families that are affected. And that needs to happen and take place."
On Friday, B.C. Premier John Horgan issued a statement expressing his horror and
heartbreak at the discovery:
"This is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions. And it is a stark example of the
violence the Canadian residential school system inflicted upon Indigenous
peoples and how the consequences of these atrocities continue to this day," said
Horgan.
* Residential school survivor recalls pain of being forced from family
* Steve Sxwithul'txw survived residential school. Now he's trying to honour
family who didn't
The FNHA said immediate supports for the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation
have been identified through its Interior health team, and its teams are on
standby to support further needs.
A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide
support for former students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis
referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866 925-4419.
Within B.C., the KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a First Nations and
Indigenous-specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It's toll-free and can be reached at 1-800-588-8717 or online
at kuu-uscrisisline.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential
schools, and those who are triggered by the latest reports.
A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide
support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and
crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line:
1-866-925-4419.
With files from The Canadian Press, Daybreak Kamloops and The Early Edition
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|Report error
RELATED STORIES
* Photo of massive tree being hauled down Vancouver Island highway sparks
global outrage
* West Kootenay man summons courage to save skunk with beer can stuck to its
head
* Racism a key factor in B.C.'s growing Indigenous overdose crisis, says health
official
FOOTER LINKS
MY ACCOUNT
* Profile
* CBC Gem
* Newsletters
* About CBC Accounts
CONNECT WITH CBC
* Facebook
* X
* YouTube
* Instagram
* Mobile
* RSS
* Podcasts
CONTACT CBC
* Submit Feedback
* Help Centre
Audience Relations, CBC
P.O. Box 500 Station A
Toronto, ON
Canada, M5W 1E6
Toll-free (Canada only):
1-866-306-4636
ABOUT CBC
* Corporate Info
* Sitemap
* Reuse & Permission
* Terms of Use
* Privacy
* Jobs
* Our Unions
* Independent Producers
* Political Ads Registry
* AdChoices
SERVICES
* Ombudsman
* Corrections and Clarifications
* Public Appearances
* Commercial Services
* CBC Shop
* Doing Business with Us
* Renting Facilities
* Radio Canada International
* CBC Lite
ACCESSIBILITY
It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada
including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges.
Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on
CBC Gem.
* About CBC Accessibility
* Accessibility Feedback
*
* ©2024 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights reserved.
* Visitez Radio-Canada.ca
now
INFORMATION ABOUT COOKIES
We and select advertising partners use trackers to collect some of your data in
order to enhance your experience and to deliver personalized content and
advertising. If you are not comfortable with the use of this information, please
review your device and browser privacy settings before continuing your visit.
Learn moreClose
0