Search for unmarked residential school graves begins at Shingwauk site (3 photos)

The search for unmarked graves on the former grounds of Shingwauk Indian Residential School is now underway. 

Norpro Environmental was seen on the campus of Algoma University Friday afternoon, using ground-penetrating radar in an attempt to identify unmarked burials at the former residential school site. 

The work is being led by Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA), an organization representing Shingwauk survivors and their families, in collaboration with the university and a number of Shingwauk site partners. 

A ceremony was held Thursday prior to the search, according to the CSAA website.   

“We recognize that the ground-penetrating radar work as well as our physical presence on the ground will inevitably disturb the habitat of medicines, plants, trees, insects and all other living beings below and above earth,” reads an excerpt of the notice posted to the CSAA website. “Through ceremony we’re asking for forgiveness and understanding as we seek to do this work in the least intrusive manner possible.”

There are 109 recorded burials at the cemetery associated with Shingwauk Indian Residential School - 72 of those burials students, the rest staff. 

Shingwauk Residential School Centre Interim Director Krista McCracken told SooToday back in June that it’s possible there could be more burials both inside and outside the boundaries of the cemetery.  

“We also know that we don’t have all the records, so there could be more than 72 former students buried in that space - so technology could allow us to learn more about that space,” said McCracken at the time. “But also, some survivors have said that they do remember students being buried outside the bounds of the cemetery.”

Shingwauk Indian Residential School operated in Sault Ste. Marie from the mid-1870s until its closure in 1970. The school was funded and administered by the Canadian government and operated by the Anglican Church until 1969.

A national residential school crisis line has been established to provide support to former students and their families. The 24-hour crisis line can be accessed at 1-866-925-4419.