‘We’re finally being heard:’ NDP critic on discovery of unmarked graves

As a residential school survivor, the Saskatchewan NDP’s Betty Nippi-Albright was not surprised by revelations of 751 unmarked graves at the former Marieval Indian Residential School on the Cowessess First Nation.

Nippi-Albright, the party’s critic for First Nations and Metis Relations and Truth and Reconciliation, attended a residential school in the 1970s. She recalled that unmarked graves were common knowledge among the students.

“Society is actually hearing about this and is shocked with these discoveries. But as residential school survivors, we’re not. For us, we’re finally being heard. But this opens wounds for all of us as residential school survivors,” Nippi-Albright said during a news conference on Thursday.

The Cowessess First Nation announced the findings nearly a month after 215 unmarked graves were discovered through ground-penetrating radar at a former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C.

More discoveries are expected as the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations has committed to searching other residential school sites in Saskatchewan.

“We cannot let ourselves become desensitized. We cannot look away. We have to face these horrors head on and take real, meaningful and swift action on truth and reconciliation. Thoughts and prayers are simply not enough,” NDP Leader Ryan Meili said.

As health falls under provincial responsibility, the NDP is calling on the government to provide mental health support to those struggling with the news, both on reserve and off. Meili said he would consult community leaders on what supports they need.

He expects those would be aimed at addressing immediate trauma stemming from the day’s news as well as intergenerational trauma that leads to substance abuse, interpersonal violence and anxiety and depression.

Meili also called for “clear action and a timeline” to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action that pertain to the province “rather than what we have seen so far, vague commitments without any real action.”

Speaking about her own healing journey, Nippi-Albright said she was involved with the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. She also found comfort in meeting other residential school survivors and sharing experiences.

“We validated each other and we said, ‘We’re healing together (and) walking this together,’ ” she said. “I certainly hope society will push their elected officials to put resources in here. We already know that (when it comes to) mental health supports, we’re struggling. They’re at capacity.”

Nippi-Albright called for a “real effort” to support those struggling with the discovery rather than a “tokenistic” gesture.

She also hopes people become motivated to demand the province build respectful relationships with Indigenous people “and start addressing the systemic racism that is so entrenched in this province.”

Health Minister Paul Merriman understands Indigenous people across the province are experiencing trauma after the discovery on the Cowessess First Nation.

One of his concerns is assisting with the healing process as other ground searches and discoveries are expected over the coming months.

“They have to start their healing process at their pace, and I think we need to listen to what they’re saying right now,” Merriman said. “The province is ready — I’ve asked my deputy minister to have staff available. ”

Merriman called Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme to personally extend the offer Wednesday night for whatever health supports the community may need.

“We need to go in and be able to provide some counselling or some support services in there,” Merriman said. “If asked, we would certainly consider that and work with Chief Delorme to help them heal.”

Others react to discovery

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement after the Cowessess media conference, saying he was heartbroken by the news.

“I recognize these findings only deepen the pain that families, survivors, and all Indigenous peoples and communities are already feeling, and that they reaffirm a truth that they have long known,” he wrote.

“The hurt and the trauma that you feel is Canada’s responsibility to bear, and the government will continue to provide Indigenous communities across the country with the funding and resources they need to bring these terrible wrongs to light.”

Regina Mayor Sandra Masters said she had offered her sympathies to Delorme. The flags at Regina City Hall were lowered to half-mast to pay tribute to the lives lost.

“We stand by the survivors of residential schools and their descendants on their healing journey and as they undertake the important work of honoring their loved ones,” Masters wrote in a statement.

“I ask all residents to care for one another in the collective grieving of lives lost and for Indigenous people and children treated without humanity.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Keenan Sorokan