Search for unmarked graves at Algoma University moves forward
The search for human remains at a former residential school site in Sault Ste. Marie continues.
Ground-penetrating radar equipment is being used to scan the grounds at Algoma University to determine whether there are unmarked graves from the time the Shingwauk Residential School was still in operation.
Miranda Moffatt, site search community coordinator for the Shingwauk Residential School Site, said scanning of the southwest corner of the university property was completed before heavy snow moved into the region over the weekend.
She said there are plans to expand the search.
“The goal is to complete a secondary section at the back of the Algoma University campus land,” she said.
“We’re hoping for the weather to warm up. But we’re also contemplating actually shovelling or moving the snow.”
Moffatt said a traditional knowledge keeper was on site to ensure cultural practices and traditions are upheld during the search. The Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association is taking the lead in establishing protocols for the search. There will be no digging and if any graves are discovered, they will not be disturbed.
Association president Irene Barbeau said this is a day she’s been working toward for the last 40 years.
“I have been exposed to everything one can imagine in terms of residential school stuff,” said Barbeau.
“I just go and do what I need to do. And the priority right now is the ground search, and the people I work with feel the same way.”
Barbeau hopes Canadians will continue to work with Indigenous people toward reconciliation.
“Pray for us that the Creator will help us to do this work that needs to be done,” said Barbeau.
“The focus will always be on the children who never came home.”
Barbeau said if a grave is discovered on the Algoma University grounds, the person’s remains will be memorialized in some way. The Children of Shingwauk expect it will be some time before the results of the ground search are known.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.