SECHELT, B.C. - The shishalh First Nation has reported the discovery of 41 additional unmarked graves at the site of the former St. Augustine’s Residential School. This finding comes after 18 months of ground-penetrating radar scans conducted in the area. The locations of interest were identified through interviews with survivors of the residential school system.
With this latest discovery, the total number of suspected graves at the site has risen to 81. The shishalh First Nation had previously announced the discovery of 40 unmarked graves in April 2023. The community has been working closely with other First Nations, including those from Saskatchewan, whose children also attended the school.
The shishalh First Nation has emphasized the importance of careful language when discussing these findings. While many First Nations communities often refer to such discoveries as anomalies or areas of interest, the shishalh statement specifically noted that the graves were "identified by archeologists."
Chief Lenora Joe expressed that the latest findings were not unexpected, stating, "We always had enough proof." The ongoing search for possible graves reflects a broader effort by Indigenous communities to uncover the truth about the legacy of residential schools in Canada.