Search begins for unmarked graves at former Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., residential school
After lots of talk this summer, the search for unmarked graves is underway at the former Shingwauk Residential School site, at present-day Algoma University.
The work is being led by the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association, in collaboration with partners who've banded together to form a new committee for the project.
Following the discovery of 215 graves in Kamloops, B.C., the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association said it immediately wanted to do the same.
"We more or less had a talking circle and right away, they said we need to do the same thing here," said Jay Jones, site search coordinator with Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association
Jones is the former president of the association and now leads the committee formed to discover the graves at the site. He said this initiative was the right thing to do.
"To say I'm honoured is an understatement -- it's something that I'm compelled to do," he said.
Chief Dean Sayers of the Batchewana First Nation said he's excited to finally see scanning get underway. Sayers said it's an important action that will help educate future generations.
"Everybody having this knowledge across the country, can work together to prevent this sort of thing from happening again, in the future," he said.
The Métis Nation of Ontario holds two seats on the committee to discover the unmarked graves. A regional councillor for the group said some of its own members were survivors of the school -- and it's doing what it can to help.
"We're bringing the views and the resources of the Métis government to support the survivors and the work that we think they should be leading," said Mitch Case, Métis Nation of Ontario Regional Councillor.
The first round of radar has wrapped up, but crews are set to return in a few weeks.
The Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association said it should have results in about two to three months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.