Algoma University commits to finding unmarked residential school graves
Following the discovery of the mass grave at a former residential school in British Columbia, officials at Algoma University and the Shingwauk Residential School Centre in Sault Ste. Marie are working on next steps in its “commitment to action,” which includes a search for unmarked graves around the university itself.
A memorial to the 215 children whose graves were discovered in B.C. continues to grow on the front steps of what was once the Shingwauk Residential School, where Algoma University now sits.
Officials are considering how best to locate unmarked graves of former Shingwauk students. One of the methods being considered is ground-penetrating radar.
However, officials said no work will begin until the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association is consulted.
“They’ve been at this work for more than 40 years,” said Algoma University vice-president Mary Wabano-McKay. “We look to them to help us, to remind us to be careful, to be patient, and to do everything in a good way. And I mean that from a cultural sense and from a spiritual sense."
Krista McCracken, director of the Shingwauk Residential School Centre, said they have been in contact with the centre’s various national partners.
“We have an ongoing partnership with the National Centre For Truth & Reconciliation, as well as (University of British Columbia’s) Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre,” said McCracken.
“We also work with survivor groups from across the country. So continuing to have those conversations and continuing to foster those partnerships.”
The president of Algoma University, Asima Vezina, said she has been in contact with Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan about possible federal financial support. She said there will be many discussions in the coming weeks.
“We are on a site that has a number of partners and a number of boards, and all of us are going to have to come together and really think deeply about how to approach this really important work together and in partnership,” said Vezina.
A memorial ceremony is being held Friday afternoon at Algoma University’s Shingwauk Hall for the 215 children whose remains were discovered. Organizers are inviting people to join virtually at 3 p.m. via Zoom or Facebook.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.