How many children’s bodies have been found at residential schools is a question that has haunted Canada for years. The discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools has sparked a national reckoning with the dark history of these institutions, which were designed to assimilate Indigenous children into Canadian society. As investigations continue, the number of children’s bodies found has grown, revealing a tragic chapter in the country’s past that must be acknowledged and remembered.
The residential school system, which operated from the 19th century to the 1990s, was a government-sanctioned program aimed at eradicating Indigenous culture and language. Children were forcibly taken from their families and sent to these schools, where they were subjected to harsh discipline, physical and sexual abuse, and a lack of basic care. Many children never returned home, and their whereabouts have remained a mystery for decades.
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established to document the history and impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities. The commission’s final report revealed that thousands of children had died while attending these schools, with many bodies buried in unmarked graves. However, the actual number of children’s bodies found has been a matter of ongoing debate and investigation.
In 2021, the discovery of unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia shocked the nation. The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced that ground-penetrating radar had uncovered the remains of 215 children. This discovery was followed by the identification of more than 1,200 unmarked graves at other residential school sites across Canada, including in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and Ontario.
The findings have prompted calls for a national inquiry into the residential school system and the treatment of Indigenous children. The Canadian government has apologized for the role it played in the residential school system and has committed to supporting the healing process for survivors and their families. However, many Indigenous communities are calling for more substantial action, including the exhumation and reburial of the children’s remains, as well as the development of a national strategy to address the legacy of residential schools.
The discovery of so many children’s bodies at residential schools has underscored the need for a thorough and honest examination of Canada’s past. As the nation grapples with the pain and suffering of Indigenous peoples, it is crucial that the stories of these children are remembered and that their families are provided with the closure they deserve. Only through acknowledging and learning from this dark chapter in Canada’s history can the country move forward and work towards a more just and equitable future.
