Whitehorse residential school ground searches completed

Monday, 13 May 2024 11:19

Brian Whiting discusses his geophysics team's findings following the ground search at the former site of Chooutla Residential School. A similar report will be made available for the Whitehorse ground search. (S. Bonell)

WARNING: This article contains information that could be distressing to some readers.

The ground search work at the sites of two former residential schools in Whitehorse has been completed.

The Yukon Residential Schools Missing Children Project announced on social media that the ground-penetrating radar work at the former sites of Yukon Hall and Coudert Hall in Riverdale had been completed on May 9. According to the post, the Project will provide and update when appropriate, but the report will take time to be completed and reviewed.

A joint media release from Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nation announced ground search efforts at the two sites would begin April 22. Citizens of both nations held private ceremonies before the work began.

The ground-penetrating radar technology used in the ground search can detect anomalies. But according to GeoScan’s Brian Whiting, whose team conducted the ground search at Chooutla Residential School in Carcross, the findings of geophysics and ground-penetrating radar alone cannot determine whether a potential grave site contains human remains.

Anyone with information about residential schools in the Yukon are asked to share their story with the Yukon Residential School and Missing Children Project online at www.yrsmcp.com.

Support is also available through the 24-hour Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419

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