National

First Nation to release school grave search info

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Feb, 2023 10:42 AM

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. - A British Columbia First Nation is releasing the results of a preliminary search for unmarked graves on the grounds of a former residential school.

The Tseshaht First Nation is presenting its search results in Port Alberni, B.C., after 18 months of planning and operations at the former site of the Alberni Indian Residential School.

Tseshaht Nation officials say children from at least 100 Indigenous communities attended the school when it operated from 1900 to 1973.

B.C. land surveyor GeoScan has been working on the project, using ground-penetrating radar to detect possible grave sites at the Alberni school location.

The company, which has worked at other residential school sites, began scanning at Port Alberni in July 2022.

Tseshaht Elected Chief Councillor Wahmeesh, whose English name is Ken Watts, says it's essential to embark on what he calls "this journey of truth" despite the process being difficult for survivors.

Officials say health and wellness support staff will be on-site to assist if necessary.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Police arrest 86 year old male suspect in sexual assault of a 6 year old boy at Metrotown

Within hours, police received a number of tips from the public and a suspect was identified. With the assistance of Burnaby RCMP’s Investigative Support Team, frontline officers arrested an 86-year-old Burnaby man. The man was transported to Burnaby detachment and later released with numerous conditions.

Police arrest 86 year old male suspect in sexual assault of a 6 year old boy at Metrotown

B.C. forecasts surplus, improved fiscal outlook

Finance Minister Selina Robinson says preliminary financial numbers for the first three months of 2022-23 show the province is in a strong position despite ongoing global economic risks. The quarterly report Robinson posted today also indicates financial improvements over the next three years, but includes forecasts of budget deficits for two of the three years.

B.C. forecasts surplus, improved fiscal outlook

Pierre Poilievre meets with Conservative caucus

The longtime MP cruised to the opposition leader's office with a blowout victory that saw him capture nearly all of the country's 338 ridings and nearly reach the 70 per cent support mark from party members.

Pierre Poilievre meets with Conservative caucus

Liberals say economy, inflation the focus for fall

Rachel Bendayan, the parliamentary secretary to the associate finance minister, says MPs all heard very clearly from constituents over the summer break just how difficult it has become to keep paying the bills. Fighting inflation is also politically critical for the Liberals with new Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre maintaining his biting criticism of the government over inflation.

Liberals say economy, inflation the focus for fall

Canada to be 'prominent' at events mourning Queen

The late queen's coffin left Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Sunday, where it was driven by hearse to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. It will be flown to London on Tuesday, where it will eventually lie in state for the public to say their goodbyes in the four days leading up to Monday's funeral.

Canada to be 'prominent' at events mourning Queen

Female pedestrian injured in Surrey hit-and-run

Police were called to King George Blvd near 72 Ave at about 9 p.m. Sunday. Officers say a silver sedan heading south on King George struck a woman who was crossing the street between intersections.