Skip to Main content

7.25°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Feb 10, 2022 8:22 PM - The Canadian Press

Vancouver Island First Nation ready to search for unmarked graves at former school

Share On

vancouver-island-first-nation-ready-to-search-for-unmarked-graves-at-former-school

A Vancouver Island First Nation says it has taken the first steps toward locating possible unmarked graves at the former site of the Alberni Indian Residential School. (Photo - Tseshaht.com)

A Vancouver Island First Nation says it has taken the first steps toward locating possible unmarked graves at the former site of the Alberni Indian Residential School.

A statement posted Wednesday by the Tseshaht First Nation says "foundational work" to locate any graves just outside Port Alberni, B.C., has begun.

Preparation to use ground-penetrating radar at the site is underway but the statement says work won't begin until soil conditions are ideal.

Tseshaht leaders say cultural support will be provided and they urge those who attended the school to share their knowledge with the research and investigation teams.

Senior levels of government have announced that $1 million is available over two years to help the Tseshaht work with survivors to locate and honour children who never returned home from the school.

The Alberni Indian Residential School operated between 1900 and 1973.

Similar investigations are being done at former residential schools around B.C.

The work began after the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc in Kamloops announced last spring that ground-penetrating radar had identified what are believed to be more than 200 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school on its territory.

Latest news

ottawa-to-announce-next-round-of-major-national-interest-projects-on-thursday-carney-says

CanadaNov 10, 2025

Ottawa to announce next round of major national interest projects on Thursday, Carney says

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will unveil the next group of projects under review by the Major Projects Office later this week. Speaking to reporters in Fredericton on Tuesday, Carney said the announcement will be made Thursday, marking the second round of projects being evaluated for potential national interest designation. The first batch of five projects was announced two months ago, prompting criticism from the Conservative opposition, who argued that many of the selected developments were already progressing and did not require special federal attention. None of t

alberta-eyes-120-km-h-speed-limit-on-divided-highways-as-part-of-review

AlbertaNov 10, 2025

Alberta eyes 120 km/h speed limit on divided highways as part of review

The Alberta government is exploring the possibility of increasing the speed limit to 120 kilometres per hour on divided highways across the province. The proposal would affect routes currently capped at 110 km/h, including the major corridor linking Calgary and Edmonton. Premier Danielle Smith said the province’s divided highways were designed to accommodate higher speeds and noted that many motorists already drive above the current limit. She added that public support will help determine whether the higher limit is introduced. An online survey is now open to gather feedback from Albertans,

AlbertaNov 10, 2025

Alberta reports first flu-related death of season as health officials urge vaccination

Alberta has recorded its first influenza-related death of the 2025–26 season, according to new data from the province’s respiratory virus dashboard. Officials say the individual was in their 60s. The report marks an early fatality in what public health experts warn could be another challenging flu season. Last year, Alberta experienced one of its deadliest flu periods in decades, with 237 deaths recorded during the 2024–25 season. Provincial data shows a concerning upward trend in both deaths and hospitalizations linked to influenza. There were 171 deaths in 2023–24, 123 in 2022–23,

canada-loses-measles-free-status-after-year-long-outbreak

CanadaNov 10, 2025

Canada loses measles-free status after year-long outbreak

Canada has officially lost its measles elimination status after nearly 30 years, following a prolonged outbreak that persisted for more than a year. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) confirmed the decision Monday, noting the change also affects the broader Americas region. Health officials had warned last month that Canada was at risk of losing its status. More than 5,000 measles cases have been reported across nine provinces and one northern territory since last year, marking one of the most significant outbreaks in recent history. “This represents a setback, but it is also revers

IndiaNov 10, 2025

Explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort kills 11, injures 24

A powerful explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station in central Delhi has left 11 people dead and at least 24 injured, according to local authorities. The cause of the blast remains under investigation, and a high alert has been declared across Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Delhi Fire Department officials said the explosion occurred inside a parked car near the Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening. The impact caused several nearby vehicles to catch fire, resulting in extensive damage. Eyewitnesses reported seeing debris scattered across the road and hearing multiple smaller bla

Related News

Big difference in the number of extortion cases in various cities in the Lower Mainland

Big difference in the number of extortion cases in various cities in the Lower Mainland

The number of extortion incidents occurring in B.C. in 2025 is staggering, and the number of arrests or charges in the cases is disappointing. Connect FM gathered data on extortion in several major jurisdictions in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. The number of extortion cases targeting businesses or people associated with the Indo-Canadian community in Surrey has reached 81 as of November 3 of this year. There were 42 extortion cases where shooting incidents took place. In this, information about the addition of 28 extortion files has come to light in the just month of October alone. Surrey Police Se

Woman dead, several displaced after house fire in Mission

Woman dead, several displaced after house fire in Mission

A woman has died and several people have been forced from their home following a house fire on Shaw Street in Mission earlier this week. Emergency crews were called to the rural property around 1:45 a.m. on November 6 after a neighbour reported flames coming from the home. When firefighters and RCMP officers arrived, the building was already fully engulfed. Once the fire was brought under control, investigators confirmed that an adult woman had been found dead inside the residence. A man was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation but has since been released. No other serious injuries were repo

B.C. sees slight job decline in October amid U.S. tariff uncertainty, says minister

B.C. sees slight job decline in October amid U.S. tariff uncertainty, says minister

British Columbia recorded a small drop in employment last month as global trade tensions and new U.S. tariffs added pressure to key sectors, according to the province’s jobs minister. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon said Friday that the October Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada shows a decline of about 2,900 jobs in B.C., largely due to losses in construction and forestry. He linked those decreases to “unjustified” tariffs imposed by the United States, which he said have hurt workers and businesses across the province. Despite the monthly dip, Kahlon noted that

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital