(Ottawa, ON) January 18, 2023 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation is saddened and horrified at the news remains found at the former Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School announced by Star Blanket Cree Nation. Among the remains discovered was a partial piece of a child’s jawbone that is believed to been buried over a century ago. Based on the evidence, which was discovered using ground-penetrating radar, it is probable that these graves belong to some of the many Indigenous children that attended the school from 1844 until 1998 and was one of the later Residential Schools to close in Canada. This painful discovery adds to the growing number of unmarked graves of children that have been found in Canada so far and confirms the stories of Survivors that detail the atrocities that occurred in these institutions. The Star Blanket Cree Nation conducted the search of the former Residential School grounds with the help of the Axiom exploration group who located over 2,000 anomalies underground and states that they could be unmarked graves.

Pendant plus de 160 ans, plus de 150 000 enfants autochtones ont été arrachés à leur famille et à leur communauté et contraints de fréquenter des pensionnats. Ces écoles, créées par le gouvernement canadien et gérées par diverses églises, avaient pour but de détruire l'identité autochtone par le biais de politiques cruelles qui, notamment, punissaient les enfants qui pratiquaient leur culture et parlaient leur langue. Au sein des écoles, ces politiques d'assimilation forcée étaient combinées à d'horribles abus physiques, sexuels et émotionnels, ainsi qu'à de la négligence. Cela a entraîné la mort d'un nombre incalculable d'enfants, ainsi qu'une profonde blessure chez les peuples autochtones qui dure depuis des générations.

“The Legacy of Hope Foundation remains shocked but not surprised at the discovery of remains discovered on the grounds of another former Indian Residential School. These ‘discoveries’ continue to validate the stories that Survivors have been sharing for decades with the hope that their fellow former students are one day found. As we continue to discover more unmarked graves it’s important that we don’t become desensitized and instead continue to acknowledge the tragedies, the lives and spirits of these precious children. We need to keep Canadians engaged in taking action to address remaining discrimination and injustices that Indigenous Peoples continue to face,” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel of the LHF.

The LHF has more than 25 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history that are free to borrow and LHF is working on making exhibitions available online. The LHF also has curricula for K-12 and for adults along with Activity Guides, Workshops and Training and Podcasts, all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of impacts from generations going through Residential/Day School, the Sixties Scoop, etc. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate racism and foster Reconciliation in Canada.

Pour les demandes médiatiques, contactez :
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B. JD. Directrice générale et conseillère juridique interne Fondation autochtone de l’espoir Courriel:info@legacyofhope.ca Téléphone:613-237-4806, poste 303