MINEGOZIIBE ANISHINABE – Early this morning, members of Minegoziibe Anishinabe, a western Manitoba First Nation, gathered at the site of their former residential school to embark on a significant month-long search. The purpose of the search is to uncover potential graves of children who were forced to attend the residential school.
The day began with spiritual advisers leading a pipe ceremony, accompanied by the lighting of a sacred fire. The sacred fire is set to burn throughout the entire excavation process, which will take place in an area beneath the church. Last year, ground-penetrating radar detected 14 anomalies in this particular location.
Brenda Catcheway, the nation’s economic development coordinator, disclosed that a total of 71 anomalies were found on the site. However, it is uncertain whether they will search every spot. Catcheway mentioned that they are also considering investigating 31 anomalies in their east field next summer.
Emily Holland, the forensic anthropologist overseeing the project, emphasized the uniqueness and uncertainty surrounding the excavation of the church’s basement. Holland has been working with Sioux Valley since 2018, where she was involved in the excavation of their residential school site.
Chief Derek Nepinak stated that the survivors expressed a keen interest in conducting the search. He expressed hope that regardless of the outcome, the search will offer the nation an opportunity to heal.
In the wake of the discoveries at other residential school sites, over a dozen other First Nations have initiated ground searches since 2021. The efforts to uncover the truth and honor the lost children continue as more communities confront the painful legacy of the residential school system.