Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc publicly announced the confirmation of 215 potential burial sites near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School grounds in May, 2021 (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Ottawa appoints independent interlocutor to help protect potential burial sites near former residential schools

Jun 8, 2022 | 8:13 AM

Support services are in place for residential school survivors and their families here.

OTTAWA — The federal government appointed an independent special interlocutor for missing children and unmarked graves and burial sites related to residential schools across Canada.

In a news release Wednesday (June 8) morning, the federal government, along with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir and Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme, revealed that Kimberly Murray will begin her role starting June 14, 2022.

As the independent special interlocutor, Murray will work closely and collaboratively with Indigenous leaders, communities, survivors, families, and experts to identify needed measures to recommend a new federal legal framework to ensure the respectful and culturally appropriate treatment and protection of unmarked graves and potential burial sites of children at former residential schools.

Casimir says Tk’emlúps is pleased to learn of Murray’s appointment and duties.

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“So many Indigenous communities across Canada are launching investigations into unmarked graves, and we exercise our inherent jurisdiction over those investigations,” Casimir says. “It will be painstaking, vitally important work—work that will take time and resources. Canada has an essential role to play in ensuring those resources are available, and that all our communities can find their lost children, and comfort them and their families.”

The federal government says Murray’s work will be carried out independently and impartially, in a non-partisan and transparent manner.

After one year, Murray is to deliver an interim report describing her work and progress to date. A final report will then be delivered after two years. Both reports will be delivered to the public.

Tk’emlúps publicly announced the confirmation of 215 potential burial sites near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School grounds in May, 2021. The development touched off similar findings across the country, shaking the foundations of Canada’s reconciliation with Indigenous people.

The latest round of ground-penetrating radar surveys near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School is underway.