First Nation in B.C. says 41 more graves found by penetrating radar at school sit

The Shishalh Nation says 41 more unmarked graves have been found at the former St. Augustine’s residential school site, bringing the total to 81 and confirming survivors' accounts.

An 18-month investigation at a former residential school site in British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has found more evidence of children who disappeared there, the area’s First Nation says.

The shishalh First Nation in Sechelt, B.C., said in a release Friday that 41 “additional unmarked graves” had been found as a result of a search with ground-penetrating radar in the area around the St. Augustine’s Residential School site.

It said the discovery brought the number of suspected graves at the site to 81, after initial findings that were announced in 2023.

“Today is a day of loss for our community and for our families,” said Chief Lenora Joe in a video statement.

“These findings and the areas scanned were all driven by the stories and the memories of our survivors, our elders and family members who have been carrying these truths and burdens with strength for many, many years.”

The B.C. Legislature’s flag would fly at half mast until sunset on Sunday, assembly staff said in a social media post after the First Nation’s announcement.

The post said this was “to honour the shishalh Nation, and the survivors, families, and communities impacted by trauma and loss at the former Sechelt residential school.”

First Nations communities have tended to use careful language when announcing the findings of radar searches, ranging from anomalies and areas of interest to possible graves, but the shishalh statement said graves at St. Augustine’s were “identified by archeologists.”