Independent report highlights concerns of unmarked graves search

The Independent Special Speaker on Missing Children, Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites released a report on Friday that highlights the common concerns among survivors and Indigenous communities as they search for unmarked burials.

Kimberley Murray, the Independent Special Interlocutor says legal procedures should be considered as a way for Canada to combat residential school denialism.

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“International experts point out that denialism is the last step in genocide. The government of Canada and the churches must step up, they must stop being bystanders to the hate,” Murray said.

Murray released the report about a year after she was appointed the role which focuses on how Ottawa can help Indigenous communities search for children who died and disappeared from residential schools. Based on her findings some of their concerns include obtaining records, access to burial sites, and protecting those sites.

One of the areas being searched is the Mohawk Institute in Brantford. So far about 1.5 per cent of the total site has been scanned as of August 2022.

Murray’s final report will be delivered in June 2024.

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