Fort Albany First Nation starts search for unmarked graves at former residential school

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

An Indigenous community in Ontario's far north has started to search the grounds of a former residential school for unmarked graves.

Using ground-penetrating radar, technicians were on the grounds of the former St. Anne's residential school in Fort Albany First Nation on Monday to try to find the remains of children believed to have died there.

Fort Albany Deputy Chief Terry Metatawabin said it's an especially emotional time for the community's elders. 

"There's an elder here, her name is Teresa, and one of her siblings was lost," he said.

According to the University of Manitoba's National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, St. Anne's school was established at the beginning of the 20th century and was phased out in 1976, at which point it became a public school.

The centre lists the names of 24 students who died while attending the residential school.

Metatawabin said he thinks there is no doubt that researchers will find remains buried within the grounds.

"We have about a half dozen high priority sites that we have to investigate," he said.

"For our survivors, it's a conversation that has to be taken seriously. This is just not a history book. This is unsolved mysteries, unsolved investigations."

Metatawabin said it will take at least one to three months for researchers to share their findings after they've finished searching the grounds with ground-penetrating radar.

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools and those who are triggered by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.