Search for graves is planned
The Yukon government and First Nations leaders are still working on a strategy to search for graves at former residential school sites in the territory.
The Yukon government and First Nations leaders are still working on a strategy to search for graves at former residential school sites in the territory.
The federal government has earmarked $500,000 to pay for ground searches in the Yukon.
Grand Chief Peter Johnston of the Council of Yukon First Nations said Tuesday afternoon, “At the moment, we’re waiting for the Yukon to thaw out.
“We’re a month behind as far as seasonal change goes. Once the ground thaws, we might be able to have the opportunity to do those kind of sensitive but necessary works.”
Johnston said he expected the work could start within a “month-and-a-half.”
Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal told a local news conference Tuesday, “we work at the pace of the First Nations.
“Not every First Nation has the same plan moving forward. Some may want to consult with their members before moving forward. It’s an issue that’s not going away.”
Premier Sandy Silver said “the work is moving forward while all we have to do wait for the weather.”
See related story in news section.
Comments (19)
Up 1 Down 5
Observer on May 31, 2022 at 12:23 pm
Many comments here trying to minimize what happened. A lot of speculation that tries to justify a wrong, justify many wrongs. As in the movie, A Few Good Men, "you don't want to know the truth'!
Up 21 Down 4
Charlie's Aunt on May 30, 2022 at 11:37 am
The discoveries of bodies probably belonging to children is traumatic for those families who know they had missing children and we have to recognize that but also consider the viability of all the proposed solutions. Other posters are correct in saying that identity of bodies in graves will never be discovered unless exhumation is carried out and DNA comparison done with survivors in families who claim to have a missing relative. We are talking many years ago for some of those burials and somewhere I had read earlier that when a residential school child died, the school was obligated to notify the Indian Agent. Those agents were the forerunners of the Dept of Indian & Northern Affairs. The agent was then supposed to notify the family but sometimes did not, especially if family was out on the land and not accessible. Most of the deaths would have occurred from influenza, TB and measles. Measles was often fatal and the vaccine wasn't discovered until 1963. Yes, there should have been a data base of location of each named grave and maybe there were but have since been lost or deteriorated, but the schools could not hold on to bodies for weeks until a family claimed the child so back then they had little choice other than to bury on site. Nowhere has it been claimed that there were mass burials; unless there was an epidemic with multiple deaths at same time there would be no reason for that. I am sure there are burial sites close by all the former schools, what else could they do with unclaimed deceased children? Those sites when identified could be marked as cemeteries. Identifying the site and location of each grave would enable each to be marked with a simple marker as many of the unknown military graves are in the Commonwealth War Grave sites. CYFN is saying they are waiting for ground to thaw so that may indicate they are contemplating exhumations and not just ground penetrating radar, but to what purpose without DNA testing? That would also be pointless without a list of missing children. Many cemeteries in Europe have required all headstones and side rails of graves to be removed to make ground maintenance easier, but each grave is marked with a simple numbered plaque that corresponds with a master list so, not all graves have fancy named headstones. Never mind just Pioneer and Dawson cemeteries as Anie said; I'm fairly sure that throughout the Klondike, Nansen and Freegold areas there are many old prospector mining shafts that contain a body. Many gold rush era hopefuls came from all over and were never heard from again.
Up 19 Down 20
sacallison on May 28, 2022 at 10:07 pm
Before commenting on this article, one should stop and think, what if, God forbid, it were my baby that the government officials came into my home and forcibly took my child away... and then find out, years later that they died and were buried without even a notice of their passing. Unless you have walked a mile in those shoes, maybe you are not the one to pass judgement.........
Up 33 Down 6
North_of_60 on May 28, 2022 at 12:17 pm
One year later, there is still no evidence of unmarked graves or missing children at former residential schools.
In fact, there is no evidence to support the claim that children secretly died or were killed and buried in the old apple orchard. There are no names associated with these allegedly missing children, no lists of children who had gone missing or unaccounted for, no parents or relatives who claim that their child was among the 215.
Who are the 215 children allegedly buried there? No one has the slightest idea.
Not one of the many Indian Bands who sent children to the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, including the Kamloops Band itself, has ever come forward with the name of a single child who allegedly went to the school and never returned, and for whom the Band has been looking ever since. Not one.
There is thus absolutely no evidence of any child who attended KIRS from any Band in BC actually having gone missing, much less that any child was murdered and secretly buried in the apple orchard by six year olds. That tale appears to be the figment of overactive imaginations.
There is one way to solve this perplexing issue once and for all. An excavation, as Chief Manny Jules promised. Excavation would bring clarity to the situation, it would help bring closure to First Nations people grieving and struggling with the situation, and it could help our country heal.
https://tnc.news/2022/05/19/guest-op-ed-one-year-later-there-is-still-no-evidence-of-unmarked-graves-or-missing-children-at-former-residential-schools/
Up 12 Down 12
Mitch Holder on May 27, 2022 at 2:01 pm
I'm with you Jackie, you want a hand, I am not hard to find. 500k is nothing compared to millions of dollars overbudget vanity projects by our braindead government that hurts EVERYONE IN CANADA. AND WE ARE ALL BROKE, GOTTA DO SOMETHING THIS SUMMER.
Up 20 Down 8
Bad Mojo on May 27, 2022 at 1:07 pm
No it is not Jackie on May 26, 2022 at 3:56 pm:
Your comments are foolhardy and should not be given countenance:
“Disgusting comments by monsters on this site… This about truth, reconciliation and closure.
It is none of the things you say if there is no investigation into the remains to determine who is actually buried there and why they were buried there. We/you know none of these things. Monsters bury the truth they dare not have discovered. So, it is pretty monstrous Jackie to foreclose the possibility of a truth that can be reconciled with.
This is an example of unfair argumentation.
Up 12 Down 9
bonanzajoe on May 26, 2022 at 8:46 pm
Resident on May 25: "You expect kids to remember where their classmates were buried? What has that got to do with searching for possible old graves?" Read the post before you criticize.
Up 10 Down 14
Nathan Living on May 26, 2022 at 7:03 pm
Please let us know if they need help with this project. I would bet many people would be willing to help!
Up 33 Down 41
Jackie on May 26, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Disgusting comments by monsters on this site. Please be respectful. This is not about "profit" or "guilt." This about truth, reconciliation and closure. Hopefully any graves can be marked and acknowledged with grief, loss and love for the lost lives and futures. Heartbreaking.
Up 47 Down 18
Anie on May 26, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Let's dig up pioneer cemetery in Whitehorse. Or Dawson cemetery. Lots of unmarked graves. Oh the humanity. Oh, wait a minute - marked graves were not the norm everywhere always. I am old enough to have young cousins who died of measles outbreak. Their graves could not be found if we went looking today.
Up 20 Down 33
Mitch Holder on May 26, 2022 at 10:26 am
Likely would not receive any dislikes if it was YOUR FAMILY I WAS HELPING DIG UP. You want to prove your inadequacy, continue disliking, it fuels me and reinforces that I am Kitchii Manitou. You can look that up if you don't know what it means, might set you on the right path.
Up 44 Down 12
Nicely done voters! on May 26, 2022 at 7:34 am
Nice. We have a crime scene committed by the government and its agents and “we” are going to keep the evidence buried for cultural reasons?
We have no way of knowing whether this is a coverup, if there are children buried there, or what their cultural makeup is. This is bad! It kind of sounds like rumour and conjecture will win the day once again, under the Liberal Party. We good, you bad, you pay…
Up 65 Down 24
Rick S on May 25, 2022 at 10:37 pm
1. Aim ground penetrating radar at ground
2. Find some disturbances that may, or may not, be unmarked graves
3. Claim disturbances are unmarked graves without further evidence
4. Media hysteria, fake Trudeau tears, half-mast flags
5. Profit
Up 48 Down 18
George moss on May 25, 2022 at 8:54 pm
It never ends, where are all the kids buried that didn’t die at Rez school????
Up 30 Down 27
Resident on May 25, 2022 at 8:15 pm
@bonanzajoe
Because they were kids, for Christ's sake. You expect kids to remember where their classmates were buried? Most of those kids had no idea where they were.
I had a classmate die in elementary school. Tragic and sudden but also due to a medical condition. I don't remember all my classmates' faces, but I remember that one clear as day. I can imagine the pain of losing a classmate. I can't imagine the pain of losing a classmate due to neglect, abuse, and general violence. Hell, I'm sure in many cases kids just disappeared with no explanation.
Up 29 Down 16
North_of_60 on May 25, 2022 at 6:19 pm
The search for graves is like the search to cure cancer.
Up 74 Down 44
bonanzajoe on May 25, 2022 at 4:27 pm
Why doesn't the FN know where any or all former residential school burial sites are - if there are even any? And if they claim to find any, will they like JT fly the flags at half mast for 5 months? Will they dig to see if there are really any bodies buried there? Like in BC, they will not dig for any evidence. They will leave everybody guessing. No money in negative evidence. But plenty in suspicion.
Up 54 Down 36
Mitch Holder on May 25, 2022 at 4:26 pm
IN THE 3RD GRADE, WAAAAAY BACK IN 1988-89, our class went to the remnant foundation that is the residential school in Carcross. I am a fairly scientific person in my beliefs, but there is no mistaking the aura of that site or the burden of weight it puts on Carcross and many of my friends from there. Our teacher, already a veteran teacher in Ross River, did not sugar coat or alter the truth of the purpose of this place we circled on that field trip, we knew kids died there, kids just like us and we never forgot that. Thank you Ms. M. you know who you are. Whatever may unfold, we need to buck up and face it. I hope these efforts bring some people some peace of mind. I do believe it will and that my taxes are better spent on this than another study of the clay cliffs or an inclusivity council - THIS IS INCLUSIVITY, THIS IS WAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
We face uncomfortable realities together in order to overcome them. Or we let those proven incapable define our division. The real narrative of reconciliation has nothing to do with the government and reconciliation will be realized by people and deeds, not plans and words.
You tell me when, you tell me where, bring extra shovels in case I forget mine. I will handle the labour of your exhumation with the respect as my own family.
Up 68 Down 17
Matthew on May 25, 2022 at 4:23 pm
O..k.. so let's dig them up and prove it.. this is the ONLY way to know for sure..