Cowessess finds 751 unmarked graves near Marieval Residential School
June 23, 2021, 5:25 pm
Cowessess First Nation says a search has found 751 unmarked graves at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School on Cowessess First Nation.
Marieval was a residential school operated by the Roman Catholic Church for decades, despite attempts by Cowessess to remove the church from the school as early as the 1920s. In the 1960s the school was taken over by the federal government and operated by the local First Nations.
The 751 unmarked graves is the largest number found in Canada to date. Chief Cadmus Delorme said not all the graves are connected with the school, but he said the Catholic Church removed markers from pre-existing graves, which he noted is a crime in Canada.
The discovery of the remains of 215 students at a former residential school near Kamloops was the largest similar discovery to date.
Cowessess First Nation has been examining the site with the help of a team using ground penetrating radar to locate undocumented remains.
The Marieval Indian Residential School operated from 1899 to 1997 and was located in the Qu'Appelle Valley.
Heather Bear, a vice chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, attended the school in the 1970s, after control had changed from the Roman Catholic Church to local First Nations.
Even then, she wasn’t aware of the scale of the horrors. But she came to hear stories of abuse and tragedy from former students. The discovery has left her “devastated.”
“I’m just totally speechless at how many little ones went missing and never made it home,” she said.
“The whole image of it is so disturbing. I’m speechless.”
Bear was bussed to the school, though there were still some students residing there full-time while she attended. She said she later heard “terrible stories” about what went on there.
The First Nation teamed up with an underground radar detection team from Saskatchewan Polytechnic to begin the search just over three weeks ago.
Chief Cadmus Delorme detailed his thoughts on the legacy of residential schools and the recent discoveries in a recent interview with the World-Spectator. That article can be found here
The World-Spectator interviewed a survivor of the school, Carol Lavalee. Her story of what she endured at the Marieval school will be in the next World-Spectator.
Premier Moe issues statement
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe issued the following statement regarding the discovery at Cowessess:
"Today, all of Saskatchewan mourns for those who were discovered buried in unmarked graves near the former Marieval Indian Residential School site. I understand many were children, and it is heart breaking to think that so many children lost their lives after being separated from their families, and away from the love and solace only a family can provide.
"I have spoken with Chief Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and Chief Cadmus Delorme to offer the full support of the provincial government as Cowessess deals with this tragic discovery. Sadly, other Saskatchewan First Nations will experience the same shock and despair as the search for graves continues across the province.
"We are grateful for the work Indigenous leaders are undertaking and will continue to offer our unwavering support as we work together to help bring closure to survivors, families and communities in our province."
Statement from Erin O'Toole
Federal Opposition Leader Erin O’Toole issued the following statement following the discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School.
“Today, the Cowessess First Nation confirmed the heartbreaking news of the discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.
“Canada’s Conservatives acknowledge the deep sorrow and mourning that all Indigenous people and survivors of Residential Schools are experiencing at this time, and our hearts grieve for the Cowessess First Nation and the surrounding Indigenous communities who are sharing in this trauma.
“This discovery is a somber reminder that so much more work needs to be done to address the devastating and harmful effects that residential schools had, and still have, on many survivors today.
“Conservatives have called for a swift timeline and funding to deliver on the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 71 to 76 involving missing children and providing healing for families. We pledge our support for this effort and again ask for Prime Minister Trudeau to take action ahead of Canada Day to support the Indigenous communities, and our country, in mourning.”
SM.jpg)
