Kamloops Residential School Search Identifies New Focus Areas

The Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation has announced the identification of new areas for investigation at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. This follows a series of surveys which have ruled out certain sections of the grounds as sites of potential unmarked graves. The ongoing inquiry has now determined which areas “should now be the primary focus” of the search, highlighting the complexity of the investigation.

Almost five years ago, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc revealed findings from an initial ground-penetrating radar survey that indicated approximately 200 potential unmarked graves on the grounds. This announcement sparked a nationwide movement, prompting First Nations across Canada to initiate similar searches and raising awareness among non-Indigenous Canadians about the historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities.

The First Nation stated that the investigation has proven to be “more complex” than initially anticipated. “We are making progress and will continue adapting our methodologies and information as it advances,” the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc said in a statement.

Investigation Techniques and Challenges

Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc has employed advanced technologies in their search, utilizing ground-penetrating radar, as well as a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanner. This technology involves rapid laser pulses to create three-dimensional representations of the terrain. Additionally, specialized dog teams trained to detect historic human remains have contributed to the investigation.

The findings from these methods have revealed overlaps in several areas, which have now been identified as the focus for further exploration. Although the First Nation did not disclose specific locations, they noted that the surveys have detected “signatures that resemble burials” in certain parts of the grounds while ruling out others.

Accessing historical records from the Catholic Church and government entities has presented challenges, particularly due to bureaucratic restrictions and slow response times. The Catholic Church operated the residential school from 1890 to 1969, and the federal government managed it as a day school until its closure in 1978.

Cultural Sensitivity and Future Steps

Debate continues regarding the exhumation of remains at former residential school sites. Some survivors advocate for leaving remains undisturbed, while others believe that exhumation could aid in providing closure for families. The Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc have emphasized that should any ancestral remains be discovered, they will seek consensus with the numerous First Nations whose ancestors attended the institution.

“Each nation upholds its own cultural and spiritual protocols for how ancestral remains must be treated,” the statement read. The First Nation acknowledges the challenge of reaching full consensus among all affected groups.

Support services remain available for individuals impacted by their experiences at residential schools or intergenerational trauma. A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been established, offering emotional and crisis referral services. Those in need of support can contact the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.

The former Kamloops Indian Residential School, where those initial findings were reported, has since been designated a national historic site. More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forced to attend residential schools across Canada between the 1870s and 1997, with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation estimating that about 4,100 children died in these institutions, although the true number is likely higher.

The Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation continues to navigate this sensitive investigation, seeking both truth and reconciliation as they honor the memories of those affected by the residential school system.