23.46°C Vancouver

Jan 25, 2023 10:54 PM - Connect News

66 more potential graves identified at former Williams Lake, B.C., residential school

Share On
66-more-potential-graves-identified-at-former-williams-lake-b-c-residential-school
The lead investigator in the search for unmarked graves at a former residential institution near the Williams Lake First Nation in central British Columbia says the latest phase of their work has uncovered 66 additional ``reflections,'' indicating children's graves. (Photo - Williams Lake first nation/gacebook)

The lead investigator in the search for unmarked graves at a former residential institution near the Williams Lake First Nation in central British Columbia says the latest phase of their work has uncovered 66 additional ``reflections,'' indicating children's graves.

Whitney Spearing told a news conference that the results of Phase 2 of their investigation show there were crimes committed against children associated with the Catholic operation of St. Joseph's Mission.

Spearing says that in addition to the reflections found in a technical survey, their interviews with survivors and archival records revealed that babies born as a result of child sexual assault at the mission were disposed of by incineration on and off-site.

Spearing says they found ``a minimum'' of 28 children died at the mission, which operated between 1886 and 1981, many of them buried in unmarked graves around the site.

A year ago, the nation announced the first phase of its investigation had uncovered 93 other ``reflections.''

Williams Lake First Nation Chief Willie Sellers says the next steps will be to potentially exhume bodies in the areas that have already been scanned, showing a total of 159 possible unmarked graves.

Latest news

surrey-police-chief-faces-questions-on-law-and-order-situation-in-the-city
BCAug 27, 2025

Surrey police chief faces questions on law and order situation in the city

An alleged shooting incident has reportedly occurred in the area of ​​134th Street and 89A Avenue in Surrey around noon today. Allegedly, the shooting target was a home. This is the second shooting in Surrey in three days. Earlier on Monday, Sidhu Travel Ltd in York Centre had been targeted in a shooting incident.The head of Surrey Police Service, Chief Constable Norm Lipinski, faced some tough questions on the deteriorating Law and Order situation in the city on Connect FM's Dupehar Wala Show (afternoon show). This year, there have been two instances where a local business related to a Hi
cricket-club-secretary-raises-questions-on-safety-after-alleged-attacked-during-a-cricket-match
BCAug 27, 2025

Cricket club secretary raises questions on safety after alleged attack during a cricket match

Questions are being raised about the safety of players and staff at sporting venues after an incident during a cricket match in Surrey on Sunday. Surrey Warriors Cricket Club secretary Parvesh Kumar was attacked with bear spray during a match, this past Sunday, Aug. 24. Parvesh Kumar was sitting on a slope at the side of the cricket field during a match being played at North Surrey Community Park when a man attacked him from behind. He screamed in pain and irritation, prompting players and other staff to rush towards him. Some team members also tried to chase the attacker, but the suspect ma
can-you-identify-this-fraud-suspect
BCAug 27, 2025

West Shore RCMP seeking help in identifying a fraud suspect

West Shore RCMP is currently investigating a report fraud over $5000 involving a male suspect who is alleged to have used a fraudulent identification in order to obtain several smart phones from a mobile shop in Langford. Police are looking to identify this suspect who is described as: Black male in his 30’s;Dark brown eyes;Black facial hair;Wearing a white colored t-shirt and black baseball cap with white ribbing.If you know who this suspect could be please contact West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264. You can also report anonymously via Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
more-than-3-000-new-student-seats-opening-in-b-c
BCAug 27, 2025

More than 3,000 new student seats opening in B.C.

As families prepare to send kids back to school in September, new schools and additions are opening in several growing communities, with thousands more spaces under construction throughout British Columbia. “We’ve been working hard to build and deliver new schools to meet the needs of students now and in the future,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our historic investments in school infrastructure are already making a meaningful difference for B.C. students, and we look forward to welcoming young learners into even more brand-new classrooms this fall.” In Langford, one o
WorldAug 27, 2025

2 children killed in shooting at Catholic school

Two children have been killed in a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, US. The children were aged 8 and 10. The city's police chief Brian O'Hara confirmed this and said that 17 other people were injured, 14 of whom are children. He said that during the prayer service, an attacker came out of the building and began firing rifle shots through the church windows at children sitting in the mess. According to Police Chief O'Hara, the shooter was armed with a shotgun, a rifle and a pistol. He said that the shooter later shot himself in the parking lot, in which he died. Poli

Related News