The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Government of Saskatchewan have issued a joint call for the federal government to immediately commence research on undocumented deaths and burials in residential schools in Saskatchewan. And that includes using radar ground search technology at residential school sites.

The remains of 215 children were found buried on the site of a former Kamloops Indian Residential School site.The First Nation near Kamloops hired a specialist in ground-penetrating radar to carry out the work which was funded through a Pathway to Healing B.C. provincial government grant.

The FSIN has indicated that initial sites for radar ground search should include Indian Residental Schools at Muskowekwan, Onion Lake St. Anthony’s, Beauval, Guy Hill, Lebret and Sturgeon Landing, along with additional sites in consultation with First Nations in Saskatchewan.

Premier Scott Moe says Saskatchewan is supporting the call by the FSIN for the federal government to take immediate action. He also says, “With an estimated 20 federal residential schools operated in Saskatchewan, meaningful reconciliation in our province must include research into the estimated hundreds of children that did not return home after attending these institutions, including radar ground search.”