Potential unmarked graves identified at B.C.’s Lejac residential school: First Nation
The Nadleh Whut’en First Nation in north-central British Columbia has made a significant discovery on the grounds of a residential school, using ground-penetrating radar. The preliminary findings suggest the presence of several potential unmarked graves at the Lejac Indian Residential School, which operated from 1922 until 1976.
Chief Beverly Ketlo announced the results of the ongoing search, revealing that while the nation had always known about marked graves in the cemetery at the school, the survey indicated the presence of additional unmarked graves. The survey did not confirm the existence of unmarked graves but identified “23 markers” of potential burial locations.
The Lejac Indian Residential School was attended by an estimated 7,850 Indigenous children who were subjected to abuse and forced labor. Former chief Archie Patrick, who attended the school, described it as a place where children were treated like laborers, working without pay and enduring harsh conditions.
The search for unmarked graves is part of a broader effort by First Nations across Canada to uncover the truth about the thousands of Indigenous children who went missing or died at residential schools. The project, named “Nez Keh Hubuk’uznootah” or “Let’s look for our children” in the Dakelh language, is being led by residential school survivors.
The use of ground-penetrating radar, along with other geophysical survey methods, has been instrumental in the search for potential burial sites. The technology, while not able to identify human remains, can detect anomalies in the soil that may indicate the presence of graves.
The Nadleh Whut’en First Nation’s search at Lejac began in late 2023 and covered over 142,500 square meters of ground. The survey results were matched with archival records, revealing a number of potential unmarked graves.
The nation has no immediate plans to excavate or exhume the identified areas, and the project team, including residential school survivors, will provide input on the next steps. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation estimates that around 4,100 children died at residential schools, though the true number is likely higher.
The discovery of potential unmarked graves at the Lejac Indian Residential School is a painful reminder of the atrocities committed against Indigenous children in Canada’s residential school system. As the search for truth and reconciliation continues, the nation is committed to honoring the memory of those who suffered and ensuring that their stories are never forgotten.
