Researchers, elders and residential school survivors gather in Calgary for knowledge-sharing event

A Calgary event was about healing and justice as work continues to find Indigenous children in unmarked burial sites at former residential schools.

As work continues in the search for Indigenous children in unmarked burial sites at former residential schools, survivors and elders from First Nations across Alberta met with researchers to share their stories at a conference in Calgary.

The National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools, Missing Children and Unmarked Burials held its final knowledge-sharing session since its formation.

Nearly four years ago, many communities across Canada grieved after learning more than 200 unmarked graves were believed to be identified outside the former Kamloops Indian residential school.

The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc nation has not shared if human remains have been recovered, and the nation now refers to the discoveries as 215 anomalies.

Yet, it was this discovery that sparked numerous other searches at residential school sites.

At the knowledge-sharing event at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino on Wednesday, research specialists gathered with elders and survivors to share their stories.

“When we were young, we didn’t realize just how devastating that was. And, of course, our parents didn’t share that with us,” said Harley Crowshoe, an elder and survivor from the Piikani nation.

“We need our culture and our spiritual ways to give us that strength to continue on this journey.”

Committee leaders say their work is Indigenous-led and rooted in traditional ceremony.

Archival research, ground-penetrating radar and forensic science are used in support of oral traditions by affected communities.

While excavations continue at other sites, the general denial of unmarked grave sites is difficult for the community.

“We know there are unmarked graves out there, and what we’re really trying to do here is support communities to know the most effective ways they can use all of that knowledge to find, protect and commemorate those locations,” said Kisha Supernant, from the NAC and an Edmonton-based archaeologist and anthropologist.

“There are thousands and thousands of records from the churches, from the government and from other sources that clearly indicate that children died of a variety of causes and at a rate much higher (than the) ‘general population.‘”

Other speakers say trauma caused by the residential school system persists, long after the closure of the last residential school in 1996.

“This is still happening. This is still an important subject with our people. We see a lot of people who are affected that come through our doors,” said Carla Jamison, from the Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centre near St. Albert.

CTV News has reached out to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc nation regarding the latest in the search and is waiting for a response.

Anyone needing support can reach the Residential Schools Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.