A First Nation in northern Alberta reports the possible discovery of 169 unmarked graves using ground-penetrating radar at the site of a former Indian residential school.
The Kapawe’no Nation, which lives about 370 kilometers northwest of Edmonton, says a specialized drone was also used to find traces of graves at the site of the former Grouard mission.
The University of Alberta Department of Archeology spearheaded the project with the goal of assisting in the collective healing of the community.
The boarding school, also known as St. Bernard Mission School, was opened by the Roman Catholic Church in 1894 and operated until 1961.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission heard testimonies from survivors of severe sexual and physical abuse, forced labor and disease transmission at this residential school. It had a large Métis population.
The Commission has reports of 10 student deaths at this location.
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