St. Joseph’s Mission Investigation: Activity Summary for the period of January 22 to January 26, 2022
Press Release
On Tuesday, January 25th, WLFN Chief and Council announced the preliminary results of Phase 1 of the geophysical investigation at the former St. Joseph’s Mission site.
The St. Joseph’s Mission is located just kilometers from the WLFN community of Sugar Cane, in the San Jose River Valley south of Williams Lake. The St. Joseph’s Mission was operated as an Indian Residential School between 1886 and 1981, where thousands of Indigenous children were forced to attend. The institution was operated by various religious sects over the years, and predominantly controlled by the Roman Catholic missionaries as part of the residential school system set up by the Government of Canada. The Onward Ranch was added to the Oblates’ holdings in 1964 and operated as a ranch and farm to sustain St. Joseph’s Mission.
The objective of the geophysical investigation was to conduct a detailed survey covering accessible areas within the Phase 1 boundary to identify and locate any subsurface features indicative of potential undocumented graves.
A combination of techniques used in the geophysical investigation at St. Joseph’s Mission include:
- Aerial Light Imaging Range Detection (LiDAR);
- Terrestrial LiDAR;
- Low flight aerial imagery;
- Magnetometry, and magnetic susceptibility; and
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).
During the Phase 1 geophysical investigation, the St. Joseph’s Mission team surveyed approximately 14
hectares of the broader 470-hectare site using GPR technology. All reflections in the GPR data have been marked and reviewed through a rigorous quality control process. To date, the GPR found 93 reflections that have been recorded at the former St. Joseph’s Mission. These characteristics of these reflections are indicative of potential human burials.
WLFN is currently preparing a strategy for Phase 2 of the St. Joseph’s Mission investigation.
This next phase of the investigation will include:
- Additional geophysical investigation of those portions of the St. Joseph’s Mission site not covered by Phase 1;
- Additional research and survivor interviews; and
- Engagement with affected communities, the governments of Canada and British Columbia, and the owners of the lands which comprise the site of the former St. Joseph’s Mission.
“We understand that this information is going to be very difficult to process for survivors of St. Joseph’s Mission, their families, our community members and others in the general public,” states WLFN Chief, Willie Sellars. “There is much more work to do on the St. Joseph’s site, and we have every intention of continuing with this work. For now, it’s important that everyone focus on their own wellness, and the wellness of those around them. I’m encouraging everyone to reach out to others, to engage in ceremony or to access the various supports available. We also ask people to please respect the fact that the site of the former St. Joseph’s Mission is on what is now private lands. There is 24-hour security at that location, and people should not be visiting or attending the site without first making arrangements to do so.”
WLFN Chief and Council would like to remember and thank Margaret Setah for her courage and strength for telling her story to the SJM team. We are saddened by her sudden passing and send our condolences to her family.
WLFN Chief and Council would like to thank members of the community, surrounding communities and the public for their overwhelming amount of love and support during this time. WLFN had a Sacred Fire which provided a sacred space and time for gathering, to pray and drum together for the missing children, their families, and nations.
Those wishing to provide information relevant to the investigation at St. Joseph’s Mission, please email sjmission@wlfn.ca.
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