How ground-penetrating radar is used to find unmarked graves at residential schools
OTTAWA — Ground-penetrating radar is the technology behind the discoveries of what are believed to be unmarked burial sites on the grounds of former residential schools, by providing communities with the first glimpses of physical evidence of possible graves.
But it is not well understood, and is being used to fuel misinformation about the findings.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that investigated the residential school system and its legacy estimated around 6,000 Indigenous children died at the federally funded institutions. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation maintains a student memorial register that includes more than 4,000 recorded names. Many experts believe the actual number to be much higher.
Kisha Supernant is the director of the University of Alberta’s Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology and serves as a member of the federal government’s national advisory committee on residential schools missing children and unmarked burials.