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Cadaver dog findings indicate human remains at Delmas residential school
Nature is Awesome
Pivotal turn of events: BATC SASKTODAY.ca
A media release last week says the investigation into possible missing children and unmarked graves at the former Indian Residential School at Delmas has validated the oral history provided by elders. “In a pivotal turn of events, oral elder testimony has been validated through the deployment of cadaver dogs specially trained to detect historic human remains,” states a release from Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs. “The investigation, conducted on October 17 and 18, 2023, provided crucial insights into the dark legacy of the Delmas Indian Residential School.” The release refers to research findings by the Acahkos Awasisak - Star Children Project, which, since 2021, has been leading the research into missing children and unmarked graves at the former St. Henri-Thunderchild Indian Residential School at Delmas, (1901-1948). Lead researcher Alayna
Tootoosis confirmed to SASKTODAY.ca that the cadaver dogs did indicate the presence of human remains. Elders were consulted about the findings, and they asked that a commemorative feast be held, and that has taken place, she said. In the media release, Tootoosis emphasized the profound nature of the Acahkos Awasisak - Star Children Project undertaking, “This research has been a project of the heart, addressing the concerns of our people. The findings are sensitive, but it is crucial to transparently present our discoveries.” The release states, “BATC Acahkos Awasisak - Star Children Project is committed to upholding the truth, acknowledging the painful history, and honouring the lives of those who suffered. As we move forward, BATC remains dedicated to fostering healing and understanding within our com-
munity.” Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs in conjunction with SNC-Lavalin launched a ground-radar investigation of unmarked graves around the site of the former Delmas residential school in July 2021. In February of 2022, the federal government announced funding of $2,783,554 over three years to go towards researching, documenting, and honouring the memory of those who attended both the Battleford Industrial School as well as the former St. Henri-Thunderchild Indian Residential School at Delmas. The residential school at Delmas was run by Roman Catholic Church Oblate missionaries and was in operation from 1901 to 1948, when it was destroyed by a fire and never rebuilt, according to Shattering the Silence, a history of residential schools in Saskatchewan published by the University of Regina’s faculty of education.
This female pine grosbeak is distinctive with its strong beak that is used to eat the seeds and berries of many northern trees and shrubs. The two white wing bars are distinctive as is the olive color on its head and rump. I took this photo along the river path in Battleford. Design all around. | Photo and text by Jim McLane.
Fort expected to open in ‘24 By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter
In a media scrum following the Town of Battleford’s Jan., 8 council meeting, Mayor Ames Leslie confirmed that Fort Battleford will open in 2024 but isn’t sure about the outcome of the ongoing “consultation process” with community groups. Referencing the possibility of VIA Rail coming through the Battlefords, possibly opening the community to more tourism, Mayor Leslie told members of the media that, “I think it may be good to push places like ... Fort [Battleford] in the town and the city to maximize the tourism sites and im-
prove them to the point that people want to stop.” SASKTODAY.ca broke the story about Fort Battleford’s closure in June 2023. Subsequent reporting found that Fort Battleford had closed its doors after being faced with deteriorating buildings, a lack of volunteers and staff, possible economic pressures, and mounting pressures to change the story with reconciliation in mind. When asked how progress is coming, he said, “The town’s involved and so is the city and I think we’re in the infancy stages ... I wouldn’t even say a relationship has been built, yet,” Mayor Leslie said, noting that there is another meeting coming up
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on Jan. 18. “But I think it’s going in the right direction and I think we have a commitment from Parks Canada that it will be opened, now it’s the onus on us as a community to make sure we keep going down the path so they don’t have an excuse to shut it down again because we missed a step or violated truth and reconciliation again,” he said. “I think the group is strong. I think there are some people now wanting to come on to be part of the consultation because they’re seeing that this starting to build some momentum and the right message is starting to be portrayed. Continued on Page 2
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