By Hector Trevor Knapaysweet
Ground penetrating radar will be utilized to search for unmarked graves by Fort Albany First Nation and the Nee Kee Wa Nan (We Are Coming Home) Initiative Program at the former site of the St. Anne’s Residential School from July 15 to July 26.
This project is part of the Nee Kee Wa Nan Initiative Program, which is supported by professionals and a community-led working group which consists of Mushkegowuk communities such as Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Moosonee, Timmins, and Kashechewan.
Nee Kee Wa Nan Initiative Program will conduct a ceremony, a community visit, an information session, and an initial walkabout of identified sensitive areas within the St. Anne’s Residential School sites.
“Fort Albany First Nation and the Nee Kee Wa Nan Program invite all St. Anne’s Residential Day School Survivors and community members to participate and support one another in this vital work,” said Fort Albany First Nation Deputy Chief Terry Metatawabin.
The ground penetrating radar is a critical component aimed at uncovering the truth and investigating survivor testimonies of unmarked graves and burials related to St. Anne’s Residential School. The project is a vital step in a journey involving truth, intergenerational healing, and reconciliation.
Fort Albany First Nation will lead the work along with the Nee Kee Wa Nan Working Group, Mental Health Supports, Traditional Ceremony Knowledge, and surrounding First Nation communities to engage in the follow key activities:
Community Ceremony – Traditional ceremony to honor the significance of the work and to support the healing process of survivors. This will provide an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and collective strength.
Community Information Sharing – Information sessions will provide details about the work, technology used, and the investigation process.
Walking the Land – Nee Kee Wa Nan team, with community members, will walk identified sensitive areas. This is an essential part of the assessment process and ensures the community’s knowledge and guidance are integrated into the project prior to any work.
“Together, we can ensure that the history of our community is respectfully acknowledged and preserved for future generations,” said Deputy Chief Terry Metatawabin.