Skip to Main content

16.75°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports 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

woman-robbed-in-vancouvers-marpole-area-police-seek-witnesses

Woman Robbed in Vancouver’s Marpole Area, Police Seek Witnesses

A woman was robbed in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood, and police are asking witnesses to come forward as the investigation continues. According to police, the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on August 27. The woman was walking along the west lane of the 8600-block of Granville Street near Southwest Marine Drive when a suspect allegedly punched her in the face, stole her purse and fled the scene. Police searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect. The victim’s phone was later recovered nearby. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene for injuries to her nose.

mysterious-floating-island-spotted-on-b-c-s-williston-lake-boaters-warned-to-stay-away

Mysterious Floating Island Spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake, Boaters Warned to Stay Away

A mysterious floating island spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake has prompted authorities to issue a warning to boaters. According to BC Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer, the floating island is about one hectare in size and is covered entirely with trees and lush vegetation. It was first spotted by satellite in mid-August but later suddenly disappeared. The island was spotted again on Monday, and appears to have travelled about 30 kilometres from its previous location over the past two weeks. Gammer believes the formation is not solid land, but rather a highly unstable mass of tree roots, logs and

relief-for-surrey-residents-no-new-extortion-or-shooting-cases-reported-in-august

Relief for Surrey Residents: No New Extortion or Shooting Cases Reported in August

Surrey residents and business owners have received some encouraging news, with the Surrey Police Service (SPS) reporting that no new extortion threats or extortion-related shootings were recorded in the city throughout August. According to the latest update from SPS, the improvement is being attributed to ongoing joint efforts involving police, local businesses and the wider community. Police say these collaborative efforts are now producing positive results on the ground. SPS emphasized, however, that officers continue to actively investigate previous extortion cases, pursue legal action and

B.C. Government Announces Nearly 1,200 New Child-Care Spaces Across 22 School Districts

The British Columbia government has announced plans to create nearly 1,200 new licensed before-and-after-school child-care spaces across 22 school districts, including Surrey. Under the initiative, Peace Arch Elementary and Theresa Clarke Elementary in the Surrey School District will each receive 24 new child-care spaces. B.C. Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare said the time before and after school can be particularly challenging for parents who are balancing work and family responsibilities. Having child care available directly within school grounds will provide families with con

AlbertaSep 01, 2026

Nearly 400 Alberta Specialist Doctors Show Interest in New Dual-Practice Surgery Model

Nearly 400 specialist doctors in Alberta have expressed interest in participating in the province’s new dual-practice system, which will allow physicians to work within the public health-care system while also providing private services for selected surgeries, including hip and knee replacements. Although the legislation enabling the model is now in place, the office of Surgical Services Minister Adriana LaGrange said doctors must complete a formal application process before any private surgeries can begin. The first dual-practice surgeries are expected to take place this fall, following a r

Related News

Woman Robbed in Vancouver’s Marpole Area, Police Seek Witnesses

Woman Robbed in Vancouver’s Marpole Area, Police Seek Witnesses

A woman was robbed in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood, and police are asking witnesses to come forward as the investigation continues. According to police, the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on August 27. The woman was walking along the west lane of the 8600-block of Granville Street near Southwest Marine Drive when a suspect allegedly punched her in the face, stole her purse and fled the scene. Police searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect. The victim’s phone was later recovered nearby. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene for injuries to her nose.

Mysterious Floating Island Spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake, Boaters Warned to Stay Away

Mysterious Floating Island Spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake, Boaters Warned to Stay Away

A mysterious floating island spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake has prompted authorities to issue a warning to boaters. According to BC Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer, the floating island is about one hectare in size and is covered entirely with trees and lush vegetation. It was first spotted by satellite in mid-August but later suddenly disappeared. The island was spotted again on Monday, and appears to have travelled about 30 kilometres from its previous location over the past two weeks. Gammer believes the formation is not solid land, but rather a highly unstable mass of tree roots, logs and

Relief for Surrey Residents: No New Extortion or Shooting Cases Reported in August

Relief for Surrey Residents: No New Extortion or Shooting Cases Reported in August

Surrey residents and business owners have received some encouraging news, with the Surrey Police Service (SPS) reporting that no new extortion threats or extortion-related shootings were recorded in the city throughout August. According to the latest update from SPS, the improvement is being attributed to ongoing joint efforts involving police, local businesses and the wider community. Police say these collaborative efforts are now producing positive results on the ground. SPS emphasized, however, that officers continue to actively investigate previous extortion cases, pursue legal action and

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital