Maritime residential school survivors react to latest discovery in Saskatchewan
Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan says it has found an estimated 751 unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Marieval Indian Residential School.
It’s a number so large and so horrific that it’s hard to wrap one’s head around.
“We could have been one of those victims, easily”, says Yvonne Meunier, a survivor of the Shubenacadie Residential School in Nova Scotia.
Meunier says, for context, the 751 unmarked graves found on the site of the former residential school in Saskatchewan is a little more than the population of the reserve she grew up on in New Brunswick.
While that is a sobering statistic, she says the discovery of the remains – and those in Kamloops, B.C. – comes with feelings of relief, and vindication, too.
“I really believe that those children, you know, that were buried, that they whispered amongst themselves, ‘They have found us. They have found us,’” Meunier told CTV Atlantic.
Tuma Young is the director of the Marshall Legal Institute at Cape Breton University. Just this past weekend, he was named the first Indigenous chair of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society.
He’s also a survivor of the Eskasoni Federal Indian Day School.
Young says the latest discovery in Saskatchewan sheds further light on what he and others experienced.
“The TRC Report even devoted a whole chapter to it – Chapter Four. And there’s a number of calls to actions that addressed this issue. So, we all knew. We’re not shocked. But still, it’s a very sad and tragic news that came out today," Young says.
While residential school survivors may not be surprised, it’s a lot to handle in a short period of time. In May, the remains of 215 children were discovered near the residential school in Kamloops.
“A lot of survivors are getting triggered and what we need, is to try and help them”, Young says.
The discoveries have plenty of non-Indigenous people wondering what they can do to show support and try to enact change.
“Well the first thing to do is read the TRC Report and if that’s too much, read the calls to action," suggested Tuma Young.
“We have now woken up the true story," adds Yvonne Meunier. “And we have allies and now people are becoming more educated about our history, our culture.”
With investigations are planned at other residential school sites across the country, Meunier is expecting the discovery of a lot more remains.
“There are going to be more that are going to be found and my heart is really broken, and I just keep praying and smudging, and I pray for forgiveness.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.