residential schools

Former Tk’emlups te Secwepemc chief Shane Gottfriedson, left, speaks as hiwus (Chief) Warren Paull, of the Sechelt (shishalh) First Nation, listens during a news conference, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. Scores of First Nations leaders are voicing their formal support in court for a $2.8-billion settlement agreement to a class-action residential schools lawsuit. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Indigenous chiefs across Canada laud the pending approval of $2.8B settlement deal

B.C. chief says First Nations should decide how to mitigate harms done by residential schools

Former Tk’emlups te Secwepemc chief Shane Gottfriedson, left, speaks as hiwus (Chief) Warren Paull, of the Sechelt (shishalh) First Nation, listens during a news conference, in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. Scores of First Nations leaders are voicing their formal support in court for a $2.8-billion settlement agreement to a class-action residential schools lawsuit. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Survivors’ Flag hangs to honour Indigenous Peoples who were forced to attend residential schools, on the grounds of the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. On Tuesday, Tseshaht First Nation announced the preliminary results of an 18-month research-and-scanning effort to identify those who died at the Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS), which operated from 1900 to 1973. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. First Nation aims to reclaim narrative from shadows of residential school

Indigenous communities taking steps toward ‘decolonizing the narrative’ around residential schools.

The Survivors’ Flag hangs to honour Indigenous Peoples who were forced to attend residential schools, on the grounds of the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. On Tuesday, Tseshaht First Nation announced the preliminary results of an 18-month research-and-scanning effort to identify those who died at the Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS), which operated from 1900 to 1973. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Tseshaht First Nation dancers perform during the Doing it for our Ancestors announcement on Feb. 21, 2023. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)

Probe into former Alberni residential school resets the death toll at 67

Roughly 10 percent of the 100 hectares of Tseshaht territory to be surveyed has been scanned

Tseshaht First Nation dancers perform during the Doing it for our Ancestors announcement on Feb. 21, 2023. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)
Flags mark where ground-penetrating radar recorded hits of what are believed to be 751 unmarked graves in this cemetery near the grounds of the former Marieval Indian Residential School on the Cowessess First Nation, Sask. on Saturday, June 26, 2021. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation says there are many problems with a $2 million contract Ottawa signed with an international group to provide it with advice on unmarked graves. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor

Feds’ hiring of international group to advise on unmarked graves called ‘misstep’

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation says it’s ‘deeply concerned’ by the decision

Flags mark where ground-penetrating radar recorded hits of what are believed to be 751 unmarked graves in this cemetery near the grounds of the former Marieval Indian Residential School on the Cowessess First Nation, Sask. on Saturday, June 26, 2021. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation says there are many problems with a $2 million contract Ottawa signed with an international group to provide it with advice on unmarked graves. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Taylor
Kathryne Bomberger, director-general of the International Commission on Missing Persons, reacts during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands on Friday, April 8, 2022. Bomberger says families are central to addressing the issue of missing children and unmarked burials. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Peter Dejong

International organization says Indigenous families will lead unmarked graves report

International Commission on Missing Persons tapped to conduct a cross-country outreach campaign

Kathryne Bomberger, director-general of the International Commission on Missing Persons, reacts during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands on Friday, April 8, 2022. Bomberger says families are central to addressing the issue of missing children and unmarked burials. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Peter Dejong
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa spending $2M for international commission to offer advice on unmarked graves

Organization will undertake a cross-country outreach campaign with Indigenous communities

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A sign commemorating victims of residential schools is attached to a fence line in front of homes east of Calgary near Gliechen, Alta., Tuesday, June 29, 2021. A new report from a group looking into children that died and went missing at an Alberta residential school says unpasteurized milk was responsible for the deaths of Indigenous children at the institution. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Probe into Alberta residential school links unpasteurized milk to children’s deaths

Estimates say up to 400 children died while attending Blue Quills residential school

A sign commemorating victims of residential schools is attached to a fence line in front of homes east of Calgary near Gliechen, Alta., Tuesday, June 29, 2021. A new report from a group looking into children that died and went missing at an Alberta residential school says unpasteurized milk was responsible for the deaths of Indigenous children at the institution. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Canada’s special interlocutor for unmarked graves at former residential schools, Kimberly Murray says the fight is not over to obtain records needed to answer “hard questions,” including who the missing children were, how they died and where they are buried. Murray speaks at a news conference in Ottawa June 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Residential school records needed to answer ‘hard questions’: special interlocutor

National Truth and Reconciliation report detailed at least 4,100 deaths at the institutions

Canada’s special interlocutor for unmarked graves at former residential schools, Kimberly Murray says the fight is not over to obtain records needed to answer “hard questions,” including who the missing children were, how they died and where they are buried. Murray speaks at a news conference in Ottawa June 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Star Blanket Cree Nation, northeast of Regina, has announced the discovery of possible graves after a ground-penetrating radar search of the former site of the Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School. Aboriginal students, principal Father Joseph Hugonnard, and staff, including the Grey Nuns, of the industrial School are shown in Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask., in this May 1885 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/National Archives of Canada/O.B. Buell - PA-118765

Radar shows 2,000 areas of interest at former residential school site in Saskatchewan

Team planning next steps to determine how many areas are unmarked graves

The Star Blanket Cree Nation, northeast of Regina, has announced the discovery of possible graves after a ground-penetrating radar search of the former site of the Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School. Aboriginal students, principal Father Joseph Hugonnard, and staff, including the Grey Nuns, of the industrial School are shown in Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask., in this May 1885 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/National Archives of Canada/O.B. Buell - PA-118765
An artist’s concept image is seen in an undated handout composition. A new project from the University of Calgary’s Taylor Family Digital Library is creating 3D digital records of some Alberta residential schools. In consultation with Indigenous communities the library has created accurate virtual and physical models of three former residential schools in Alberta. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Taylor Family Digital Library

‘Witnesses to history’: University makes 3D virtual replicas of residential schools

Project officials say it is important to preserve this dark part of Canada’s history

An artist’s concept image is seen in an undated handout composition. A new project from the University of Calgary’s Taylor Family Digital Library is creating 3D digital records of some Alberta residential schools. In consultation with Indigenous communities the library has created accurate virtual and physical models of three former residential schools in Alberta. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Taylor Family Digital Library
The site of a former residential school where, last month, ground-penetrating radar detected a potential 751 unmarked graves in Cowessess First Nation, Sask., Tuesday, July 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

Feds looked to international missing persons commission for help on unmarked graves

The Canadian government approached an international commission that helped identify the remains…

The site of a former residential school where, last month, ground-penetrating radar detected a potential 751 unmarked graves in Cowessess First Nation, Sask., Tuesday, July 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards
Leah Gazan rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, June 21, 2021. The New Democrat member of Parliament says she will be holding the government accountable after her motion calling on the federal government to recognize Canada’s residential schools as genocide passed with unanimous consent.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

‘It was historic’: Motion to call residential schools genocide backed unanimously

Consultation with Indigenous people required to determine next steps, NDP member says

Leah Gazan rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, June 21, 2021. The New Democrat member of Parliament says she will be holding the government accountable after her motion calling on the federal government to recognize Canada’s residential schools as genocide passed with unanimous consent.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, from left to right, lawyer Nancy Sandy, Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations Marc Miller walk together on the former grounds of St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, in Williams Lake, B.C., on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Supreme Court will not hear from St. Anne’s residential school survivors

Survivors have fought a years-long battle against Ottawa to release thousands of records

Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald, from left to right, lawyer Nancy Sandy, Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellars, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations Marc Miller walk together on the former grounds of St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, in Williams Lake, B.C., on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The totem pole was raised into place by a crane as people sang and drummed. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)

‘Bringing back identity’: Memorial totem pole raised on Orange Shirt Day

Kermode Friendship Society totem pole honours victims and survivors of residential schools

The totem pole was raised into place by a crane as people sang and drummed. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)
Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation lives in Williams Lake, B.C. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Orange Shirt Society founder hopeful for future of Indigenous families

B.C.’s Phyllis Webstad will be at Niagara Falls for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation lives in Williams Lake, B.C. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
The Witness Blanket residential schools art exhibit is now available on a newly launched interactive website. (witnessblanket.ca)

B.C. artist’s Witness Blanket for National Truth and Reconciliation now accessible to all

Created by Carey Newman, the art installation had previously only been viewable in person

The Witness Blanket residential schools art exhibit is now available on a newly launched interactive website. (witnessblanket.ca)
Apprentice carver Rey Dickie and master carver Stan Hunt stand next to the log that will be carved into a monument to remember Indigenous children who died at residential schools. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

B.C. carvers creating monument to children found in unmarked residential school graves

Monument will be toured across Vancouver Island before being shipped to Vancouver

Apprentice carver Rey Dickie and master carver Stan Hunt stand next to the log that will be carved into a monument to remember Indigenous children who died at residential schools. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
Marie Clements creator of the film “Bones of Crows” poses for a photograph at Elevation office during the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, September 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

Residential school drama ‘Bones of Crows’ about need for truth, dialogue: director

For Indigenous audiences, Marie Clements hopes it offers ‘some relief’ to see their story told

Marie Clements creator of the film “Bones of Crows” poses for a photograph at Elevation office during the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, September 11, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
Georgina Martin poses for a photo at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park in Prince George, B.C. on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Doyle

Families and former patients seek access to federal ‘Indian hospital’ records

Survivors say they were tied to their beds, forced away from their families and sexually abused

Georgina Martin poses for a photo at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park in Prince George, B.C. on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/James Doyle
Roy Johnson has been working for years to get recognition for time he spent at the Choutla Residential School in Carcross when he was too young to actually be enrolled as a student. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)

Yukon man taken to residential school at 4 years old denied compensation for early years

Roy Johnson says he endured extensive abuse at the Choutla Residential School

Roy Johnson has been working for years to get recognition for time he spent at the Choutla Residential School in Carcross when he was too young to actually be enrolled as a student. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)
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