Province to fund research into undocumented deaths, burial of children at former Alberta residential schools
Posted May 31, 2021 8:36 pm.
Last Updated June 1, 2021 6:53 am.
CALGARY — The Government of Alberta says it will work toward reconciliation and bring closure to Indigenous parents who had their children taken from them and never returned.
“Action 74 of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation actions calls for the federal government to work with churches and Indigenous leaders to let families know where their children or relatives are buried and to respond to their wishes regarding commemoration of beloved family members,” said Minister of Indigenous Relations, Rick Wilson, in a release.
Wilson says the province will fund research into the undocumented deaths and burials of hundreds of Indigenous children at the 25 residential schools that operated in Alberta.
RELATED: Hundreds more unmarked residential school graves, anticipate experts
Wilson says the details of this funding will be announced in the coming days.
“Many of the schools have been destroyed and while their general location is known, the exact coordinates are missing. It is also possible that children were buried in locations such as nearby churches.”
Wilson added that the discovery of the 215 lost children in Kamloops heightens the need to take action now.
