History of residential school cemeteries is evidence of genocide, interlocutor says

WARNING: This article contains images of residential school pupils in cemeteries. 

The history of residential school burial sites is evidence of crimes against humanity that could in theory be prosecuted, the special interlocutor for missing children and unmarked burials says.

Kimberly Murray, a federally appointed official tasked with recommending a new framework for the treatment of these sites, outlines the conclusion in a report released Wednesday.

"The histories of the cemeteries that were located at former Indian residential school sites are evidence of genocide and mass human rights violations," says the report, titled Sites of Truth, Sites of Conscience.

"The lack of care given to Indigenous children during their lives at Indian residential schools carried over to their deaths and burials."

The historical review says government policies prioritized saving money over the humane treatment of the children who died, their families and communities.

"Government and church officials made decisions and created policies that led to the deliberate desecration of the burial sites of Indigenous children. At times, these officials even actively participated in these desecrations," the report says.

"Through both their actions and failures to act, the government and church entities created the crisis of missing and disappeared children and unmarked burials that survivors, Indigenous families, and communities are facing today."

In an interview, Murray said the report is meant as a companion to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report on missing children and unmarked burials. The difference is that the interlocutor's report reproduces evidence like historical records and images.

The goal is to counter denialism by demonstrating there were cemeteries, where children were sometimes made to work, at residential schools and other institutions, Murray said.

"This is meant to be an evidentiary piece of the genocide and the crimes against humanity that supplements, complements and supports what the survivors have been saying for decades," she said.

Murray was appointed in 2022 with a mandate recently extended to October 2024. She doesn't expect the federal government to respond officially to this report, as it doesn't convey her final recommendations.

A spokesperson for Justice Minister Arif Virani responded to an interview request with a statement.

"We will take the time to give proper consideration to the Special Interlocutor's recommendations as we await her final report expected this fall," wrote spokesperson Chantalle Aubertin.