There was a new council announced this morning by the Manitoba Provincial government that will provide advice and guidance to help support future and current searches for the bodies of children who died at residential schools.
The newly announced council will include members of local, provincial and federal governments including members from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
The council will be co-chaired by the province and Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) and has representation from Indigenous leadership organizations and governments, including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Southern Chiefs’ Organization, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Manitoba Métis Federation and the Manitoba Inuit Association.
The council has had an initial discussion about the principles they will use during their work.
- the search for the missing children must be Indigenous-led and with support from municipal, provincial and federal governments;
- families and survivors must be at the heart of all search efforts;
- health supports are essential to the wellness and healing of families, survivors, communities and all of those who are engaged in this work;
- the remains of the children who died while attending residential schools and their burial locations be protected at all times; and
- commemorations are essential for healing, truth-telling and education.
For more on the council, you can find the province's press release here.
