Search for missing patients in unmarked graves continues at Charles Camsell Indian hospital

The search continues, for the unmarked graves of those who never made it home from the Charles Camsell Indian hospital.

Survivor of the hospital, Victor Alan Bruno, doesn’t remember if he was six or seven-years-old when he was sent to the racially segregated hospital.

He was a patient for 26 months, after catching tuberculosis at a residential school.

Remembering the trauma, of medical procedures never explained to him as a child, Bruno said: “I once told my friend I went through a torture chamber, sometimes.”

As areas flagged for having “something” are searched, elders, keeping an eye.

“We did a ceremony for them, and we are going to do another three more, to send those spirits on in a good way,” said Fernie Marty, Papaschase First Nation.

“From the research that I’ve done, there were at least 100 people who died here,” said Chief Calvin Bruneau, Chief Papaschase First Nation.

This is the second search of the old Charles Camsell site, but Chief Bruneau tells says in the south end is where he’s heard stories.

“The stories that I’ve heard over the years is that there were burials here, especially in the southwest corner. So that is why this is a very highly watched area,” he explained.

It comes as the land is zoned for re-development.

Architect Gene Dub is taking on the costs of searching for the graves and is ready to halt development if anything is found.

“Even if the burials are not found here, it’s important to still do this search,” explained Dub. “Just so that people now know a little more about where their ancestors may be.”

Excavating is continuing Friday, but, if no one is found here, the search continues. There are reports of people from Camsell being buried elsewhere.