The Minister of Aboriginal Services says Ottawa will increase funding for boarding school burial searches

The Minister of Aboriginal Services says Ottawa will increase funding for boarding school burial searches

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Aboriginal Services Minister Mark Miller said today that the federal government will substantially increase funding to allow Aboriginal communities to search for unmarked graves in former boarding school locations.

Miller says $27.1 million committed to search It is an initial number and will grow.

“We know there will be a lot,” Miller told CBC News.

“Obviously, given the emerging demand and knowing what might happen, more financial support will be needed, and we will obviously be there.”

Miller said he could not confirm whether Ottawa gave Cowessess First Nation money to conduct a ground penetrating radar search in the cemetery near the former Marieval Indian boarding school about 140 kilometers east of Regina.

First Nations today Announced the initial discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the scene.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Peoples confirmed that the search was funded by The federal government provided $4.88 million to Saskatchewan organizations.

Aboriginal Services Minister Mark Miller said the federal government is committed to funding more unmarked burial searches on former boarding school premises. (Canada Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Miller said the government had long known what Cowessess First Nation had found under the site, but it was still shocking.

“Although I knew this was coming, it still made me hold my breath,” Miller said.

“We have told [Cowessess] chief [Cadmus] Delorme stated unequivocally that the Canadian government will support them financially and any other assets we own on their terms. “

Watch: Indigenous Services Minister Mark Miller reacts to report of unmarked graves

Aboriginal Services Minister Mark Miller said the federal government will provide support after the Cowessess Aboriginal Report in Saskatchewan found 751 unmarked graves near the former boarding school. 1:19

Miller said the government is willing to support investigations into the unmarked graveyard of the former boarding school.

“We have always been open to this,” he said. “We don’t want to get in the way”

A growing number of indigenous groups, including FSIN, are calling for independent investigations.

“Now, it’s time to take action,” FSIN?? Chief Bobby Cameron told host David Cochran on CBC Power and politics.

Anyone affected by the boarding school experience, as well as those affected by the latest report, can get support.

A nationwide Indian boarding school crisis hotline has been set up to provide support to survivors and others affected. People can call the 24-hour national crisis hotline 1-866-925-4419 for emotional and crisis referral services.

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