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National Gathering on Unmarked Burials: Supporting the Search and Recovery of Missing Children

Photos from our inaugural event held in Edmonton, Alberta from September 12-14, 2022

Vicki Manuel, Tk’emlúps te Secwẻpemc

Dr. Chief Wilton Littlechild, Lawyer, former Commissioner of the TRC, delivering Keynote Address; President Natan Obed, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, seated in the background

Participants at the National Gathering on Unmarked Burials

Kanai Elder Wilton Goodstriker

Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji, former President of the International Criminal Court and Distinguished International Law Jurist at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law

Fredy Peccerelli, Executive Director, Forensic Anthropology Foundation of Guatemala

Leah Redcrow, Executive Director of the Acimowin Opaspiw Society and member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, who is supporting Survivors of Blue Quills in the search and recovery work at three former Blue Quills Indian Residential School sites

Dr. Sarah Beaulieu, GPR Specialist and Assistant Professor at University of the Fraser Valley, who works with several Indigenous communities in their search for unmarked burials associated with former Indian Residential Schools

Paul Bauman, Geophysicist who has worked with several First Nations and Métis communities to map burials

Donald Worme, Cree Lawyer from Kawacatoose First Nation, former Lead Commission Counsel for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Representative Tamara St. John, Tribal Cultural Presentation Officer, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives

Nancy Sandy, Williams Lake First Nation, working on search and recovery efforts in relation to St. Joseph’s Mission

Elder Wilson Bearhead (pictured here with Raine O’Cheese Family Dancers)

Elder Howard Mustus, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation

Taylor Behn-Tsakoza, Member of Assembly of First Nations Youth Council

Benjamin Kucher, Métis Youth who is supporting Indigenous communities with ground searches

Dr. Allen Benson

E. Dutch Lerat, Vice-Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Survivor of Marieval Indian Residential School, Cowessess First Nation

Elected Chief Mark Hill, Six Nations of the Grand River

Martha Malliki, Community Researcher from Igloolik living in Iqaluit, who supports Inuit families locate the burials of their loved ones

Joanasie Akumalik, Project Manager of the Nanilavut Initiative, Nunavut Tungavik Incorporated

Elder Wilson Bearhead, Wabumun Lake First Nation, and Elder Joe Ground, Enoch Cree Nation, setting up the Teepee for the Sunrise and Pipe Ceremonies

Northern Cree Drum Group at the Welcome Reception

Left to Right: Emmerson Samson with Elder Phyllis Mustus and Elder Sharon Morin

Jenna Broomfield lighting the Qulliq

Grand Chief George Arcand Jr. providing a Welcome to the Territory

Kimberly Murray, Independent Special Interlocutor, providing Opening Remarks at the Gathering

Dr. Alika Lafontaine, first Indigenous physician to serve as President of the Canadian Medical Association

Participants at the National Gathering on Unmarked Burials

Participants at the National Gathering on Unmarked Burials

Participants at the National Gathering on Unmarked Burials

Sacred Medicines

From left to right: Survivors Jacquie Bouvier, Lillian Elias, and Dr. Chief Wilton Littlechild

Jeannette Starlight, T’suut’ina Nation, worked to locate and memorialize children who died while in the care of the Dunbow Industrial School (St. Joseph’s), Alberta

The Empty Chair

Vicki Manuel, Tk’emlúps te Secwẻpemc

Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools

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You are not alone.

Survivors and Family members of Survivors may receive immediate emotional support by contacting the 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.

Indigenous people may receive immediate emotional support by contacting the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.