Editor鈥檚 note: This article contains details about residential schools in B.C. and may be upsetting to readers. Please contact The Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll-free 1 (800) 721-0066 or 24hr Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419 if you require emotional support or assistance.

A North Island First Nation has announced plans to probe its residential school past with ground-penetrating radar.

The 鈥楴amgis First Nation is starting its inquiry into the former St. Michael鈥檚 Indian Residential School (IRS) grounds located on Cormorant Island.

鈥淥ur priority is to support the mental health and wellness of the survivors, inter-generational survivors of St. Michael鈥檚 IRS, and all community members effected by the trauma of the history of Canadian IRS,鈥� the nation said via a statement to media.

The 鈥楴amgis plan to engage with those affected by the school before directing contractors to examine the former grounds of St. Michael鈥檚 鈥渨here potential burial sites are planned to be recovered.鈥�

鈥淭his is a collaborative project which will involve 鈥楴amgis First Nation Chief and Council, St. Michael鈥檚 IRS survivors, a project steering committee, and the communities connected to the former grounds. The investigation will be completed in phases starting with contracting a project manager to assist the 鈥楴amgis First Nation with access to funding, and begin research reviewing archives, historical records, and oral history to initiate the investigation.鈥�

Part of that includes inviting survivors from the 45 First Nations who attended St. Michael鈥檚 IRS to take part in community engagements in Alert Bay.

The 鈥楴amgis plan to publicly release the results of the investigation and create a commemorative monument on the former school grounds to honour children who were unable to return to their families.

As this is a difficult topic for many to relive, 鈥渢hroughout the project the steering committee will provide access to culturally safe and trauma informed mental health supports for survivors, and their descendants, plus all community members. The steering committee is also welcoming survivors who are dedicated to being on an advisory council to join the investigation.鈥�

For further information please email the Steering Committee StMichaelsIRS@namgis.bc.ca

St. Michael鈥檚 IRS was active in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island from 1894 to 1974. The building was torn down in 2015.

editor@northislandgazette.com
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