Ground searches at two former Whitehorse residential school sites begin this week

Monday, 22 April 2024 11:54

The Yukon Residential School and Missing Children Project at the September 26 update on the Choutla Residential School ground search. (Photo: S. Bonell)

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

The Yukon Residential School Missing Children Project is overseeing ground searches at two former residential school sites in Whitehorse.

A joint media release from Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nation announced ground search efforts at two parcels of land in Riverdale: Yukon Hall, a non-denominational, church-operated residence; and Coudert Hall, the former Whitehorse Roman Catholic Indian Hostel. Yukon Hall was claimed as a Kwanlin Dün First Nation settlement land, and Coudert Hall was similarly claimed for Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.

Much like the ground search at Choutla Residential School in Carcross and other residential ground searches across Canada, the work in Whitehorse will use ground penetrating radar technology to detect anomalies. However, as noted by GeoScan’s Brian Whiting at a media conference last September, the findings of geophysics and ground-penetrating-radar cannot guarantee whether potential grave sites contain human remains.

On September 26, KnowHistory and GeoScan representatives discussed their investigations at Chooutla Residential School. KnowHistory’s team of historians identified 33 documented deaths of children at the school, while GeoScan found 15 potential grave sites during two weeks of field work.

The Whitehorse ground search is scheduled to begin April 22 and continue until May 4. During this two-week period, both Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nation have asked all individuals, including the public, not to visit these sites or disrupt the crews while they work.

“This search effort marks an important chapter for Yukon First Nations, not just here in Whitehorse, but for all Yukon families who lost a child, many still unaccounted for, during the residential school system era.” said Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Chief Amanda Leas in the release. “It is our hope these efforts may help Yukon families, Ta’an members included, who may have suffered unfathomable abuse while residing in the dorms and hostels that once operated on these sites.”

“In Whitehorse, many of my people from Kwanlin Dün and others stayed at Yukon Hall and Coudert Hall in Whitehorse, Yukon,” said Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Sean Smith. “This search will allow for the beginning of healing for KDFN and TKC Citizens who attended schools in Whitehorse.”

“When we face truths of what happened in those institutions and acknowledge their stories, then healing can begin.”

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

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Regalia workshop for special traditional occasions holds in Whitehorse

The regalia are often used by First Nations Citizens for special traditional occasions.
Unity in the Community Walk for four Yukon women who died at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter held in Whitehorse

Let the anger go, regardless of all that was seen during the inquest.
Testimony hearing into the deaths of four Yukon women comes to an end.

The jurors are tasked with determining the identity of the deceased individuals, the time and place of their deaths, and the causes of death.
Coroner's Inquest sees footage of lifeless body ignored for more than 12 hours

The on-site paramedic called the incident of Darla Skookum's death “bizarre” because she had obviously passed away many hours earlier.
How We Walk with the Land and Water holds two open houses

The open houses gave citizens and relations an opportunity to share their vision for the Southern Lakes Region
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter staff not trained for emergencies, inquest hears

Last week inquest heard Whitehorse emergency shelter staff members testifying that they were not trained for the emergencies that caused the deaths of four Yukon women.
Premier pledges to meet with Yukoners living in tents to help them find housing

Audio

Yukon NDP House Leader Lane Tredger describes Premier Ranj Pillai's commitment as a bluff; says Pillai is "out of touch."
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter saw a higher presence of drugs after the Connective took over

One staff member while testifying, said things changed for the worse when Connective took over, as they saw a higher presence of drugs.
Whitehorse Shelter has recorded 144 overdoses between 2020 and 2022

144 overdoses has happened at the shelter between 2020 and 2022. Three were at least fatal, including Cassandra Warville and Myranda Tizya-Charlie, on Jan. 19, 2022.
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter understaffed and staff lacked training - inquest reveals

They said at the time of the incident, there was no clear policy or training available to staff on how to deal with overdose incidents nether were they trained on how to monitor intoxicated guests.
Coroner’s Inquest into Whitehorse Emergency Shelter deaths begins in Whitehorse

Loud screaming was heard and many broke into tears in painful disbelief when the CCTV footage showed shelter staff dragging the women's lifeless bodies from the shower room.
The Whitehorse Star says goodbye after over a century of publication

One of the last locally owned newspapers in Canada is closing its doors after 124 years of serving Yukoners; thanks staff, advertisers, and readers for being part of its rich history.
City of Whitehorse tables new bylaw to discourage abandoning buildings

If introduced, the bylaw would make annual permits mandatory for buildings left vacant for more than a month and would require owners to safeguard the building from fire and other hazards, maintain insurance and carry out snow and ice removal.
Yukon Party renews its criticism of Yukon Hospital Corporation funding following CBC article.

Audio

Health Critic Brad Cathers quoted documents acquired by the public broadcaster through an Access to Information request, while Minister McPhee stands by the funding of the Hospital Corporation.
CHON-FM's Kaska-language coverage of hockey tournament gets national attention

You can hear CBC's national host interview Testloa Smith
Yukon Party criticizes the health minister's trip to Scotland

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee spent seven days in Scotland following several rural health centre closures and service reductions in Yukon communities. McPhee hasn't visited Watson Lake in-person since 2021.
Whitehorse RCMP arrests one suspected to be involed with Victim Services Office break-in

A search warrant by Police officers with Whitehorse Detachment General Investigation Section and General Duty officers was executed where Kyle McCormick was known to reside and recovered additional items also believed to be taken from the break-in.
Yukon Native Hockey Tournament returns to Whitehorse

The 44th Annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament will see 56 teams from the Yukon, Bc, and North West Terriotries attending one of the most anticipated social events of the year.
Community space in the former cafeteria in Jim Smith Building now open

The community space situated on the ground floor of the Jim Smith Building, which is located at 2071 2nd Avenue in Whitehorse, will be open starting Monday, March 18th and will continue to welcome visitors for the next six and a half weeks
Break-in at Whitehorse Victim Services office under inverstigation

Confidential files and other items are believed to have been accessed and individuals who have obtained services or may have been referenced in victims’ files through Victim Services may be affected.