Three Years Later, No Remains Found at Kamloops Residential School Site
Image courtesy Archives Deschâtelets-NDC
Three years after the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced the discovery of 215 potential unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, no human remains have been recovered, and there is no public accounting for the $7.9 million allocated for the investigation, according to a report by Blacklock's Reporter.
On May 27, 2021, Tk’emlúps Chief Rosanne Casimir stated in a press release, “With the help of a ground penetrating radar (GPR) specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light — the confirmation of the remains of 215 children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.” This announcement sparked national outrage.
The federal government responded by lowering flags to half-mast for a record 161 days and committing $320 million for further searches and support for affected communities. Carolane Gratton, the spokesperson for the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations, confirmed the $7.9 million allocation for fieldwork, records searches, and securing the school grounds, according to Blacklock’s. However, both the department and the Nation have provided scant details on how the funds were used, redirecting inquiries back to each other.
Despite the massive public and governmental response, including Pope Francis issuing a formal apology, the results have been sparse. Excavations at Pine Creek Residential School in Manitoba and other sites have failed to uncover any remains.
Critics argue that the initial announcement was hastily made without sufficient evidence. Academics like Jacques Rouillard of the Université de Montréal suggest the lack of concrete findings necessitates further investigation to clarify the truth.
The announcement of potential unmarked graves coincided with an increase in vandalism and arson attacks on churches, with over 100 incidents reported. These acts of destruction have been linked to the heightened emotions surrounding residential school atrocities, which prompted further calls for a thorough, transparent investigation to either confirm the existence of unmarked graves or dispel the notion of a widespread cover-up.
The Kamloops discovery, initially presented as "confirmation of the remains of 215 children," has since been referred to as 215 "anomalies" or disturbances in the soil.
The residential school system in Canada was notorious for its harsh conditions and mistreatment of indigenous children. Many have recounted stories of physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and forced assimilation. The schools were often underfunded, leading to inadequate food and care. In one instance, a principal at Kamloops Residential School in 1910 admitted that the government did not provide enough money to properly feed the students. These conditions contributed to high mortality rates among the children, with many dying from diseases such as tuberculosis.
Nonetheless, the $7.9 million investigation has yielded no human remains, leaving many questions unanswered.
