International tribunal to investigate missing children, unmarked graves associated with residential schools

An international tribunal will investigate missing children and unmarked graves associated with Canada's residential school system, including public sessions in Montreal in 2026.

The Native Women's Shelter of Montreal, in partnership with Amnistie internationale Canada francophone (AICF), will host the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal. 

Na'kuset, executive director at the Native Women's Shelter, said the organization is spearheading the effort to demand accountability for alleged crimes committed against Indigenous children at residential schools. The theme of the tribunal will be Âcimowin, which is a nêhiyawêwin (Plains Cree language) word meaning "true story" or "an account." 

"It's an opportunity for us to show the world exactly what happened," she said.

Over 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were forced to attend church-run, government-funded residential schools between the 1870s and 1997. As of 2021, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation had documented more than 4,100 deaths of children at the schools. 

Following discoveries of potential unmarked graves at former residential school sites, Kimberly Murray was appointed in 2022 as the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools.

Murray said she thinks the tribunal will help address denialism in Canada around residential schools and missing children, as well as hearing opinions of international legal experts.

"Asking them whether Canada committed crimes against humanity and genocide and getting their answers I think is going to be very important to survivors and and communities because they've been talking about how there's been no justice and no accountability," said Murray.

Murray is set to release her final report and recommendations next Tuesday in Gatineau, Que. She said she believes it will be important evidence to the tribunal. 

Nakuset said she will be in attendance at the gathering in Gatineau.

"It's the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another one," said Nakuset.

"We really want people to know that we are going to continue to fight. We are going to continue to ask for accountability."

What is the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal?

The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal is an independent opinion tribunal, used as a justice mechanism to build global awareness, document the full scope of human rights violations, and provide an international record of evidence.

The tribunal, founded in 1979, has held over 50 sessions worldwide on numerous cases of human rights violations, including on the Canadian mining industry in 2014.

The tribunal will hold public sessions for people to share testimonies in Montreal in 2026. Then, the judges will issue an opinion piece based on international human rights law.

"This piece can then be used as a powerful tool for grassroots justice for Indigenous people trying to get their rights respected," said Colette Lelièvre, responsible for campaigns at AICF. 

"It's accountability for Canada's government and institutions and that's one of the most important things in this initiative."

Leading up to the tribunal session, Nakuset said the shelter and AICF will be working with residential school survivors, families, and experts to gather evidence and testimonies. 

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.

Mental health counselling and crisis support is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.