Provincial government joins FSIN’s call for research into residential school deaths

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The provincial government and FSIN are both calling for the federal government to research undocumented deaths at Saskatchewan’s residential schools.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says this research – which would include radar ground search at residential school sites – would help Indigenous families and communities reach closure to begin healing from trauma brought on by residential schools.

Premier Scott Moe said with roughly 20 federal residential schools in Saskatchewan, meaningful reconciliation must include research into the hundreds of children who died after attending those institutions.

“Saskatchewan as a province is prepared to support this work through the Ministry of First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, in collaboration with the FSIN and Indigenous communities,” stated Moe on Monday during a media availability at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.

Among the initial sites the FSIN has identified for radar ground search in Saskatchewan include include Muskowekwan Indian Residential School (IRS), Onion Lake St. Anthony’s IRS, Beauval IRS, Guy Hill IRS, Lebret IRS and Sturgeon Landing IRS, along with additional sites in consultation with First Nations in Saskatchewan.

Moe added he and his government want to work as quickly as they can to identify who may be at sites and provide the first steps of closure to families if remains are discovered in the province.

“Saskatchewan is prepared to move forward on this effort and we are most certainly going to do it whether the federal government moves forward or not,” mentioned Moe.

This comes after the discovery of 215 children buried at the site of a former residential school near Kamloops, B.C.

(With files from Moises Canales)

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