Manitoba committing $2.5M to help identify and investigate residential school burial sites
The Manitoba government is committing $2.5 million to help identify, investigate, protect and commemorate residential school burial sites in the province.
Premier Brian Pallister, along with Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke, made the announcement in a news release on Monday. It comes after the discovery of a burial site of 215 Indigenous children at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., as well as 104 unmarked graves at the former Brandon Residential School.
The premier said these discoveries are “stark reminders of the tragedy and lasting impacts of Canada’s residential school system, and why we must do more to mark this passage in our country’s history.”
“This tragedy is deeply felt in Manitoba and our government is committed to working collaboratively and respectfully with Indigenous leadership, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and community members as we seek reconciliation, healing, and meaningful ways to honour the lives lost and support the survivors and their families in our province,” he said.
According to the province, it will be meeting with Indigenous leaders, elders, and knowledge keepers to determine how to use this money.
The province also noted that beyond this funding, it is also considering additional initiatives to support communities through the process of identifying, documenting, protecting, and commemorating the burial ground and unmarked graves.
“Our government is committed to working collaboratively with residential school survivors, families, Indigenous leadership and communities, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and the federal government to support this very important and necessary process of truth-telling and healing that will help us move towards reconciling these historic wrongs,” Clarke said.
“Manitoba wishes to do its share in recognizing, reconciling, and healing. But our process must be and will be led by Indigenous peoples, especially survivors, families, Knowledge Keepers and Elders.”
MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee said in the news release that the last few weeks have been difficult for residential school survivors and their descendants due to the discovery of these unmarked graves.
He said First Nations children in northern Manitoba were often forcibly removed from their homes to go to residential schools, adding that many of them were never able to return to their families.
“Today’s announcement is an important one as it signals that Manitoba is willing to work with First Nations in taking the next steps to identify and locate our missing children,” he said.
“It is essential this process is led by Indigenous people and communities as we work to heal from the ongoing legacy of residential schools.”
Grand Chief Arlen Dumas, of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), said the AMC is glad the province is dedicating resources and agreeing to work with First Nations.
He said the province needs to follow the direction of First Nations to be respectful and successful.
“Our citizens are knowledgeable and can provide the right guidance to complete this work with partner organizations in a respectful and culturally appropriate way,” Dumas said.
“While this amount is an initial start to begin the work, it will certainly take far more of a commitment and a collaborative long-term relationship with our governmental partners at all levels to step up and engage in this work.”
Manitoba notes that First Nation, Metis, and Inuit children would have attended at least one of the 17 residential schools in the province, 14 of which are officially recognized by the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. There were also 114 day schools across the province.
“On the heels of the devastating news regarding the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, it behooves us all to remain steadfast on surrounding ourselves with government allies who are committed to reconciliation in action with Inuit, First Nations and Métis in Canada,” said Rachel Dutton, executive director of the Manitoba Inuit Association.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
TSB concludes investigation into cause of London, Ont. freight train fire
More than two weeks after a freight train with several railcars ablaze rolled through the heart of the Forest City, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has concluded its investigation.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.