Indigenous elder in Windsor says preliminary findings of 93 burial sites show 'they’re finding the truth'
Growing up, Theresa Sims would hear stories from her mother, centred around the possibility that unmarked graves were located on the grounds of the former residential school she attended.
“People didn't believe her. People didn't believe the survivors of residential schools,” said Sims. “But now they do. They're finding evidence.”
More of that evidence was announced this week, after investigators from the Williams Lake First Nation in B.C said they had discovered 93 potential burial sites on the grounds of the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School — more than three decades after it had been torn down.
The investigation was launched following the May 2021 discovery of 200 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C.
Hundreds more unmarked graves were identified across the country in the months since, with dozens of additional searches being planned or currently ongoing.
“We have our death ceremonies to help spirits move on into the spirit world, to evolve and also help with the grieving,” said Sims, adding that many Indigenous children went missing or were murdered, robbing their families of the opportunity to properly pay their respects.
St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, which operated as a residential school between 1891 and 1981 and was first run by Catholic missionaries before being taken over by the federal government, has long been linked to allegations of torture and abuse.
Canada’s last residential school closed in 1996.
According to investigators who discovered this week’s preliminary findings, the 93 burial sites display varying characteristics “indicative of potential human burials” but “excavation is the only technique that will provide answers as to whether human remains are present.”
For Sims, the unearthing of these potential burial sites shows that “they’re finding the truth” about the federal government’s mistreatment of Indigenous people.
“Canada has to open up those closets, get those skeletons out and start allowing us to grieve,” said Sims. “When your heart is broken, it has to mend, and if there's no final ceremonies to help you start that healing, the pain is always there. There's that emptiness.”
"I know, every once in a while, it tears me up thinking we lost part of my family and I never got to know them, to hold them, laugh with them, to be with them, to be part of our family. That loss is heavy on all our nations."
With files from The Canadian Press and ctvnews.ca’s Daniel Otis.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sits out 3rd straight game to open the playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander sat out his third straight game to open the playoffs Wednesday night because of an undisclosed injury.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.