Sechelt, B.C. — The shíshálh Nation has announced the discovery of 41 additional unmarked graves tied to the former St. Augustine’s Residential School, bringing the total number identified on its territory to 81.
The findings, revealed Friday, follow 18 months of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scans led by archaeologists in areas guided by the testimonies of Survivors. The project builds on the Nation’s 2023 announcement, when the first results of the radar survey confirmed unmarked burial sites around the former school grounds.
“We are deeply saddened, but these numbers are not a surprise to us. We have always believed our Elders,” said Chief Lenora Joe. “This wasn’t a school, it wasn’t a choice, and the children who attended were stolen. We didn’t need the GPR to prove this happened; we always had enough proof to know.”
Survivor testimonies guide research
The shíshálh Archaeological Research Project, conducted in partnership with askîhk Research Services, combines GPR technology, historical records, and oral histories. Researchers say Survivor accounts have been central to locating the graves.
“These findings and areas scanned were all driven by the experiences and memories of shíshálh Survivors, Elders, and family members,” said Katie Willie, director of operations at askîhk. “We have been working with Indigenous communities across Canada, and Survivors’ truths play a huge role in guiding us in our efforts to support the Nations.”
Survivors have described harrowing memories, including children being led into the forest at night by school staff and never returning, as well as peers punished for asking about those who disappeared. Chief Joe said such stories highlight the depth of loss endured.
“Survivors have carried these horrors, and the disappearances of their siblings, cousins, and peers, in addition to their own experiences,” she said.
Trauma extends beyond Sechelt
The St. Augustine’s Residential School, which operated from 1904 until 1975, was attended not only by shíshálh children but also by youth from 53 other Indigenous communities across British Columbia and as far away as Saskatchewan. Many Survivors from outside communities continue to grapple with lasting trauma associated with Sechelt.
“There are Survivors from other communities who don’t want to come to Sechelt because of their trauma from St. Augustine’s. They have bad feelings towards our community,” said Joe. “We understand because this trauma was done to us, and this is our home. We want to heal together.”
The Nation emphasized that while it does not “take ownership of the trauma,” it is committed to owning its healing process and ensuring the voices of all affected Nations are included in the ongoing research.
Calls for respect and support
As the community continues its work, shíshálh Nation is asking the public for space and privacy, while also offering simple ways Canadians can show solidarity. Suggested gestures include wearing orange shirts, flying flags at half-mast, cherishing children and families, or sending messages of support to a dedicated email address.
The Nation has also released a video statement and made clear that Survivors and community members remain the priority, meaning responses to media inquiries may be limited.
Lasting impact of residential schools
Residential schools, funded by the federal government and operated by churches, were a central tool of Canada’s assimilation policies. The institutions forcibly removed children from their families with the intent of erasing Indigenous culture and languages. The legacy continues to reverberate through Indigenous communities, manifesting in intergenerational trauma, mistrust of institutions, and elevated rates of mental health struggles and substance use.
The Sechelt institution was one of the first residential schools in B.C. It opened in 1904, burned down in 1917, reopened in 1922, and remained in operation until 1975. Shortly after its closure, the school building was deliberately burned.
Chief Joe reiterated the Nation’s resolve to confront this legacy directly. “We are not taking ownership of the trauma because that was done to us, but we are taking ownership of our healing, our message, and our future,” she said.
