CBC: Sagkeeng First Nation’s search of former residential school site uncovers 190 radar anomalies
The search of a former Manitoba residential school site has unearthed what the chief of the First Nation describes as “anomalies” that could be unmarked burial sites, though the true nature of those anomalies remains unclear.
During the search, ground-penetrating radar used in the community of Sagkeeng First Nation uncovered 190 anomalies in the soil that could be the sites of unmarked graves. “So far, we don’t know what’s there,” said Sagkeeng Chief Derrick Henderson on Monday morning. “They are disturbances in the soil that fit the criteria of possibly, potentially, unmarked burials. We don’t know what’s under there yet.”
Henderson said the search sites in the community contain no lasting signs above ground of burials, but are considered by some survivors to potentially be where some missing children who were forced to attend residential school were buried.
Henderson said 137 anomalies were discovered at the arena grounds, and another 53 were found at a site adjacent to the arena grounds near a community store. Both sites are less than a kilometre from the site of the former Alexander Residential School grounds.
Henderson said there were 31 other First Nations communities whose children were sent to Fort Alexander, which operated from 1905 until 1970. Members from those communities will be invited to Sagkeeng in the coming weeks for a ceremony and to discuss what should happen next.