Three local First Nations hosted a ceremony over the weekend before the search for children’s remains begins at a residential school site in the Town of Spanish.
The Gimaas and community members of Sagamok Anishnawbek, Mississauga and Serpent River First Nations gathered at the site of the former Spanish Indian Residential Schools, one for boys and one for girls, on Saturday afternoon.
Sagamok Anishnawbek Gimaa Alan Ozawanimke said asking permission is needed before the resting places of the children are disturbed.
He adds the three communities plan to apply for federal and provincial funding to conduct the searches. Last month the federal government committed $321 million while the Ontario government has set aside an additional $10-million.
According to the province, there were 18 residential schools in Ontario, most of them repurposed, abandoned, or destroyed.
