English River First Nation grieves over possible graves – SaskToday.ca
Aug 11, 2023
Some of the records are handwritten in French.
SASKATOON — The distressing news of possible unmarked grave sites found on the grounds of the former Beauval Indian Residential School shook the English River First Nation on Tuesday, Aug. 8. The community, situated north of Saskatoon, is appealing for privacy during this time, which has reopened old wounds, particularly for the survivors.
This revelation follows a two-year investigation involving ground-penetrating radar at the former school’s cemetery. The examination identified an estimated 83 potential unmarked graves. The initial phase of the inquiry, commencing in August 2021, encompassed a substantial area within and around the school cemetery.
In a statement, ERFN Chief Jenny Wolverine said the sorrowful announcement, revealing that further scrutiny of the unmarked grave sites unveiled that most of the remains were children or sub-adults in size.
