Photo Credit: Nadleh Whut'en

By Sam Bennison

Indigenous affairs

Search for unmarked graves at Lejac Indian Residential School site begins

May 14, 2024 | 1:11 PM

Content Warning: This story contains content about Residential Schools which can be upsetting to many. If you are an Indian Residential School survivor or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866- 925-4419

PRINCE GEORGE— The Nadleh Whut’en Indian Band has begun geophysical surveys on the site of the former Lejac Indian Residential School. Entitled Whuz Noolh’en, or “we are looking / searching”, the geophysical survey will use ground penetrating radar and magnetometry to detect irregularities beneath the surface that could be representative of a burial shaft. If a potential burial shaft is located by the radar the Guiding team, made up of members from both the Nadleh and Stellat’en First Nations, will investigate further.

To commemorate the beginning of the geophysical survey Nadleh Whut’en will host the fifth annual Provincial Gathering for Lead Communities Investigating Indian Residential School and Indian Hospital Sites in BC on May 14 to 16, 2024. The gathering will allow communities to share knowledge about the process with one another.

Nadleh Whut’en is honoured to have been chosen to host this gathering,” said Chief Beverly Ketlo. “Our Nation has a long history of trauma associated with the Lejac Indian Residential School – and we carry a heavy burden in stewarding this site since children from over 70 Nations attended the institution,” she continued.

The gathering will host representatives from First Nations, who are exploring 18 former residential schools and three Indian hospitals, along with representatives from the Province and the Federal government.

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“As a survivor of Lejac, I am proud to assist our neighbours at Nadleh as our two nations, and so many others from all over the north of the province, undertake this process to uncover the truth of what occurred there,” said Chief Robert Michell, Stellat’en First Nation. “I commend Nadleh for hosting this gathering, and as we are at the very beginning of our communities’ search process, we are grateful for the wisdom being shared by other communities who are further along.”

The site of the former Lejac Indian Residential School sits on Nadleh’s Seaspunkut Indian Reserve #4. Nadleh Whut’en will share the details of the survey as it becomes available. Nadleh Whut’en reserves the right to share any findings with Lejac survivors and intergenerational survivor before making the information public.

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com