ROTHENBURGER: The pope’s apology and the question of unmarked graves

His opinion piece is the latest in what’s become a contentious debate over excavation. For want of better terms, I’ll refer to those with opposing views as believers and skeptics, attaching no connotations to either.

Believers, whether indigenous or non-indigenous, accept there are unmarked graves; some want exhumation, some don’t. Skeptics won’t accept that there are previously undiscovered graves until there’s physical evidence.

Some media describe the excavation issue somewhat crassly as “to dig or not to dig” or “diggingfor the truth.” Sadly, this particular search for truth is dividing people instead of uniting them. Some of the recent coverage has come from American media giants. While the New York Times remains sympathetic to believers, the New York Post, for example, published a story headlined, in true tabloid style, “‘Biggest fake news story in Canada’: Kamloops mass grave debunked by academics.”

Though early reports of a mass grave have, for the most part, been corrected, using the term“fake news” in any context with this story is both highly provocative and hurtful. The quote came from Tom Flanagan, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Calgary, who told the paper the unmarked-graves story had “triggered a moral panic.” The article also quoted Jacques Rouillard, a history professor emeritus at the Universite de Montreal, who had previously expressed his doubts in an online publication called the Dorchester Review. He said it’s hard to question unmarked graves because “Canadians feel guilty so they keep quiet.”

Columns and essays in a few mainstream Canadian media have expressed similar opinions, thankfully with more sensitivity than the “fake news” narrative. Let’s look at the thinking behind those who favour excavation and those who don’t. First, those who don’t.

They feel strongly that excavating the suspected gravesites, assuming remains are found, would be disrespectful to those who are buried there, and to their families. Leave them in peace, they say.

Well-known residential school survivor Evelyn Camille is one who wants to leave the site undisturbed. Another is Percy Casper, who has been quoted as saying, “The remains are there. What more proof do you want?” Indeed, many think excavation isn’t needed to prove the presence of bodies. CFJC editorialist James Peters recently reflected this view when he wrote that previous statements from elders plus ground-penetrating radar work should be enough.

“The evidence is already staring us in the face,” he wrote. “There are thousands of unmarked graves near residential schools across Canada. Believe it. Say it.” The Canadian Archeological Association has a similar view, pointing to what it calls “denialist arguments” that call for excavation. “… In some cases GPR can demonstrate the presence of graves beyond a reasonable doubt, especially when coupled with additional evidence from archives or oral testimony.”

On the other side of the argument, one point in favour of excavation is the desire to repatriate remains — where they can be identified — to families. Skeptics, though, have a different concern. They say the huge amount of negative media aimed at Canada over the issue, as well as the many questions still unanswered, make it necessary to excavate in order to find the absolute truth about the existence of secret unmarked graves.

They point out that Sarah Beaulieu, who undertook the initial GPR survey at the Kamloops school, says the only way to know for certain if bodies are there is to excavate. Finding the truth was never going to be easy but it’s sad that the path to truth has become so confrontational. Believing there are gravesites on the grounds of the Kamloops residential school isn’t “fake news.” Calling for physical proof is OK if it’s done without hyperbole and tabloid headlines, and if it doesn’t distract from the overall issue of the wrongs committed at residential schools.

This difference of opinion over getting to the truth — at least the way it’s playing out in the media — unfortunately has the potential to heap more trauma onto an already tragic situation. Other First Nations leaders across the country might have a different view from TteS Chief Rosanne Casimir but her approach might be the best one: excavate, yes, but with utmost sensitivity.

“Exhumation to memorialization,” as she has described it, but it will take time. The skeptics worry about the pope coming here to apologize before any physical evidence has been produced but there’s no shortage of other things the church has to apologize for when it comes to residential schools. Maybe, on the matter of excavation, the answer for all is patience. Give the process respect, and time.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

by Mel Rothenburger

ROTHENBURGER: The pope’s apology and the question of unmarked graves

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