Skip to Main content

5.21°^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

b-c-updates-safety-measures-after-alleged-breach-in-surrey-memorial-neonatal-unit

B.C. updates safety measures after alleged breach in Surrey Memorial neonatal unit

B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne says a recent security breach inside Surrey Memorial Hospital’s neonatal unit has raised serious concerns about patient safety across the Fraser Health region. She told the legislature the incident was “extremely distressing” for families and staff, and confirmed that Fraser Health has implemented additional safety procedures in response. Surrey RCMP allege that a woman entered the specialized care unit without authorization and made skin-to-skin contact with three newborns. Investigators say 35-year-old Lindsey Hirtreiter is now facing three counts of

vancouver-police-warn-of-rising-distraction-thefts-targeting-seniors

CanadaDec 02, 2025

Vancouver Police warn of rising distraction thefts targeting seniors

Vancouver Police are urging residents to take extra precautions after a sharp increase in distraction thefts reported in the city last month, with most incidents occurring in East Vancouver. Investigators say 20 cases were recorded in November, representing a significant jump compared to the same month last year. Police say the thefts typically target older adults and involve suspects approaching victims in public areas near their homes. Officers describe a consistent pattern in which a person offers fake jewelry and invades the victim’s personal space, using sleight-of-hand techniques to qu

rcmp-says-national-crackdown-seized-hundreds-of-kilograms-of-fentanyl-and-disrupted-trafficking-networks

CanadaDec 02, 2025

RCMP says national crackdown seized hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl and disrupted trafficking networks

A months-long enforcement initiative involving the RCMP and several other police agencies across Canada has resulted in the seizure of 386 kilograms of fentanyl along with large quantities of other illegal drugs. The coordinated effort ran from late May to the end of October and focused on production sites, trafficking groups and the financial networks that support the illicit drug trade. Police say the operation led to thousands of arrests and charges nationwide. That included 217 individuals accused of trafficking fentanyl while already out on bail, highlighting what investigators describe a

AlbertaDec 02, 2025

Alberta launches single police review body aimed at improving transparency

Alberta has consolidated its police oversight system under a new Police Review Commission, a move the provincial government says will simplify how the public files concerns about police conduct. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis announced the start of operations on Monday, saying the province wanted a clearer and more consistent process for handling complaints. The new commission replaces a mix of police service units and external agencies that previously managed different parts of the disciplinary process. The province says the centralized model is intended to reduce confusion for residents a

imran-khans-sister-reports-meeting-at-adiala-jail-as-rumours-over-former-pms-health-intensify

WorldDec 02, 2025

Imran Khan’s Sister Reports Meeting at Adiala Jail as Rumours Over Former PM’s Health Intensify

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former prime minister Imran Khan received a rare family visit at Adiala Jail today, following weeks of speculation over his condition. His sister Uzma Khanum met him for about 30 minutes and later said he appeared physically stable, while alleging that he has been subjected to psychological pressure during custody. The visit came after supporters of the party continued to voice concern about Khan’s isolation and lack of access to family. Uzma said the former prime minister has been kept confined to his cell for most of the day with limited communication,

Related News

B.C. updates safety measures after alleged breach in Surrey Memorial neonatal unit

B.C. updates safety measures after alleged breach in Surrey Memorial neonatal unit

B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne says a recent security breach inside Surrey Memorial Hospital’s neonatal unit has raised serious concerns about patient safety across the Fraser Health region. She told the legislature the incident was “extremely distressing” for families and staff, and confirmed that Fraser Health has implemented additional safety procedures in response. Surrey RCMP allege that a woman entered the specialized care unit without authorization and made skin-to-skin contact with three newborns. Investigators say 35-year-old Lindsey Hirtreiter is now facing three counts of

Police identify victim in Surrey’s sixth homicide of 2025

Police identify victim in Surrey’s sixth homicide of 2025

Investigators with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team have released the name of the man fatally shot in Surrey late Friday night, hoping the disclosure will generate new leads in the case. Police identified the victim as 26-year-old Jaskaran Birring of Chilliwack, noting he had previous police contacts and was believed to have ties to the drug trade. Officers were called to a residential area shortly before midnight, where they found Birring suffering from critical injuries. Despite emergency medical efforts at the scene, police say he did not survive. IHIT says early evidence indicate

Police boost patrols after unspecified threat targets three Nanaimo high schools

Police boost patrols after unspecified threat targets three Nanaimo high schools

Police in Nanaimo say officers will be stationed throughout the day at three secondary schools after an unspecified threat prompted a precautionary response from local RCMP. The increased presence affects Dover Bay Secondary, Wellington Secondary and Nanaimo District Secondary. According to RCMP, the schools will remain open and classes are expected to continue as scheduled. Officers say the additional patrols are intended to reassure students, staff and families while the nature of the threat continues to be assessed. The Mounties say school liaison officers will be visible on campus througho

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital