The locating of unmarked burials at former residential school sites across Canada is a tragic reminder of the abuse that many Indigenous children suffered in these institutions. The Government of Canada is working with Survivors, Indigenous leaders and affected families and communities to address historical wrongs and the lasting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual harms related to the legacy of residential schools. Part of this work includes efforts being made to locate and commemorate missing children who attended residential schools, as well as responding to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 72 to 76.

“Honouring those that lived through the residential schools’ experience and as work to find the truth of those children that did not return home, we will continuously live the trauma and need to begin the healing process for the community, families and our future generations”.

Mike Beaver, Bert Alook, Vina Young
Elders Advisory Committee, Bigstone Cree Nation

“We acknowledge Bigstone Health Commission and the Elder Advisory Committee for seeking the truth and working toward healing for Survivors, their families and their communities. Our Government is committed to supporting all Indigenous communities in searching for and commemorating the children who never returned home from residential schools.”

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

• Bigstone Cree Nation is comprised of three communities: Calling Lake, Chipewyan Lake, and Wabasca located in northern Alberta with an on-reserve population of 3,500 and 4,700 members living off-reserve.

• On August 10, 2021, the Government of Canada announced approximately $320 million in additional support for Indigenous-led, Survivor-centric and culturally informed initiatives and investments to help Indigenous communities respond to and heal from the ongoing impacts of residential schools, including $83 million in additional investments towards community support funding for Residential Schools missing children. This $83 million supplements the $33.8 million announced in Budget 2019, for a total investment of $116.8 million responding to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 72 to 76.

• A National Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support to Survivors who can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-Hour National Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.

• The Hope for Wellness Help Line is also available for Indigenous Peoples at 1-855-242-3310 or via the online chat function through their website.

Associated links

• Bigstone Health Commission
• Bigstone Cree Nation
• Residential Schools Missing Children – Community Support Funding
• Government of Canada enhances support to Indigenous communities to respond to and heal from the ongoing impacts of Residential Schools
• Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
• Missing Children and Burial Information – Calls to Action 72-76

For more information, media may contact:

Justine Leblanc
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations
justine.leblanc@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

CIRNAC Media Relations:
RCAANC.Media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca
Phone: 819-934-2302

Lorraine Muskwa
Bigstone Health Commission
780-891-2000
lorraine.muskwa@bigstonehealth.ca

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