International commission looks to ease fears over unmarked graves contract

The top official at the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) wants to ease concerns the organization's contract with the federal government could compromise its independence as it works with Indigenous communities in Canada.

"I don't have those concerns," said Kathryne Bomberger, director-general of the Netherlands-based organization, told CBC News earlier this month. 

Canada is paying the commission $2 million to offer Indigenous communities advice on unmarked burial sites tied to former residential schools, a deal some Indigenous leaders say they didn't know about until it was announced.

Last week, United Nations Indigenous rights rapporteur José Francisco Calí Tzay said he heard "numerous concerns" about the arrangement during his 10-day official visit to Canada that ended March 10.

"I fully support Indigenous peoples' calls for a survivor-centred, Indigenous-led investigation to mitigate against further harm," he told reporters in Ottawa.

The deal was reportedly concluded without consulting Indigenous peoples, Calí Tzay said, adding that investigations must respect Indigenous laws and protocols concerning grieving, death and burial.

Kimberly Murray, special interlocutor for missing children and unmarked burials at residential schools, first questioned the deal in a written brief to the UN rapporteur in late January.

Bomberger, who spoke with CBC News during the UN envoy's visit, said the ICMP always puts survivor groups first, and was first contacted by an Indigenous community here. The commission has helped identify the disappeared in more than 40 countries, whether lost through war, human rights abuses or natural disasters.

In Canada, the ICMP will hold roundtable discussions, town halls and community engagement sessions before providing the federal government with a report. Among other things, the contract gives Canada the right to comment on the draft report and approve the final version before it's published.

Bomberger said she understands why clauses like that may stir up concern given Indigenous communities' distrust of the federal government, but she said the commission takes its independence seriously.

"This is a hugely political issue in every single area I've ever worked," she said. 

"It's a highly emotional issue, and I completely understand that. But I'm not worried about this being an independent report."

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said she was glad to see the UN rapporteur highlight concerns because she too questions Canada's motive for hiring the ICMP.

Hundreds of chiefs from across Canada meet twice annually to mandate the national chief, as head of the AFN, to advocate for the rights of First Nations people.