A shocking discovery has been made at a former residential school cemetery in Manitoba. The Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation has uncovered 187 anomalies at the site, raising concerns about the treatment of Indigenous children at the school.
According to Chief Craig Alexander, the anomalies were found using ground-penetrating radar and are believed to be unmarked graves. This discovery has sparked a renewed call for accountability and justice for the victims of the residential school system.
The residential school in question, known as the Roseau River Indian Residential School, operated from 1869 to 1970. It was run by the Roman Catholic Church and the federal government, and was one of the many institutions that aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has estimated that at least 4,100 Indigenous children died while attending residential schools, with many of them buried in unmarked graves. This discovery at the Roseau River cemetery adds to the growing evidence of the atrocities committed at these schools.
Chief Alexander has stated that the community is working with the federal government and the Roman Catholic Church to identify and commemorate the remains found at the cemetery. He also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the residential school system and for the truth to be brought to light.
The discovery at the Roseau River cemetery is a painful reminder of the dark history of residential schools in Canada. It serves as a call to action for the government and the church to take responsibility for their role in the abuse and mistreatment of Indigenous children.
As the nation continues to grapple with the legacy of residential schools, it is crucial that we honor the lives of those who were lost and work towards reconciliation with Indigenous communities. The uncovering of these 187 anomalies is a step towards acknowledging the truth and seeking justice for the victims of this horrific chapter in Canadian history.
