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

Is COVID-19 still a global health emergency?

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will make the final call based on the advice the committee gives him. He warned earlier this week that he remains concerned about the impact of the virus, noting there were 170,000 deaths from COVID-19 reported around the world in the last two months.

Is COVID-19 still a global health emergency?

Trudeau tells Liberal caucus to 'meet the moment'

Trudeau says his party will push for improvements in public health-care, build a green economy and continue to support Ukraine following Russia's invasion. He encouraged his caucus to build an economy that works for the middle class, and that will benefit future generations.

Trudeau tells Liberal caucus to 'meet the moment'

Another B.C. mill affected by forestry downturn

Western Forest Products announced Thursday that the mill will not restart "in its current configuration" and says a group, including the United Steelworkers and Indigenous partners, will spend the next 90 days seeking viable solutions for the operation.

Another B.C. mill affected by forestry downturn

Canadians fret over state of health care: poll

Doctors, nurses and patient advocacy groups have been frantically waving red flags about the crisis unfolding in Canadian hospitals since the pandemic began, when intensive care units and emergency rooms were flooded with patients.

Canadians fret over state of health care: poll

Get tougher with Canada on USMCA, senators urge

The letter says American dairy producers still aren't getting the access to the Canadian market they're entitled to under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. It also describes Canada's planned digital services tax as discriminatory and raises similar concerns about new legislation to regulate online streaming and news.

Get tougher with Canada on USMCA, senators urge

B.C. requests more info on Surrey police shift

Farnworth says the policing transition in Surrey is complex, requiring a full and in-depth analysis before a decision is made, as stability in policing is fundamental to ensuring public safety. Surrey city council voted in December to send a plan to Farnworth requesting to keep the RCMP, saying that would save $235 million over five years.