Piikani First Nation to begin search for unmarked graves at former residential school sites

Emotional support or assistance for those who are affected by the residential school system can be found at Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll-free 1 (800) 721-0066 or 24-hr Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419.

LETHBRIDGE – Another First Nation in Alberta has announced work has begun to look for unmarked graves.

The Piikani Nation, southwest of Lethbridge, says there were four residential schools on its land.

A working group has been set up to do the searches, and SNC Lavalin will conduct the ground radar.

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“This will not be an easy task. We don’t know what we’ll find. But we will do it–and do it right,” said project lead Carolyn Small legs.

Earlier this week, an Indigenous group in northern Alberta said it had started the initial steps of uncovering children’s remains at a former residential school site, about 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.

Indigenous communities across the country have begun similar investigations, following the discovery in May of 215 unmarked graves at a former Kamloops residential school.