The residential school at Sturgeon Landing began operation in 1926, although its official opening was not until 1927. (archival photo/nctr.ca)

By Teena Monteleone

Ground penetrating radar

PBCN to search for unmarked graves at Sturgeon Landing former residential school site

Sep 23, 2024 | 9:10 AM

Like others residential schools, the one at Sturgeon Landing saw outbreaks of illness during its operation between 1926 and 1952. The names of 43 students are listed on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s (NCTR) website remembering students who passed away. Now the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN), with help from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, is conducting a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey at the former residential school site with the goal of identifying unmarked graves.

Elder Celina Bone, survivor and former student of Sturgeon Landing. (submitted photo/Tina Pelletier)

The Sturgeon Landing School, located about 45 kilometres northeast of Cumberland House on the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border, was destroyed by fire in 1952 and was not rebuilt. According to the NCTR, pupils and most staff were moved to facilities in nearby The Pas where they remained until Guy Hill residential school was built on Clearwater Lake in 1957.

“Sturgeon Landing holds deep scars for our community,” said PBCN Vice Chief Justin Halcrow. “Many of our children were taken from their families, culture, and identities here. As we search for unmarked graves, we honour those who never returned and continue our path toward healing. Every child mattered, and we will ensure their stories are remembered, and their spirits honoured.”

Dr. Abdul Raouf, Research Chair (Geospatial Technologies), Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence (SLICE), Saskatchewan Polytechnic, presented at the PBCN’s Truth and Reconciliation gathering on September 20, 2024. (submitted photo/Tina Pelletier)

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On Sept. 20, PBCN hosted a Truth and Reconciliation Gathering at the Sturgeon Landing in advance of the GPR survey. Dr. Abdul Raouf, a research chair with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, will be leading the efforts Sept. 23 to Sept. 27. It won’t be his first time helping to identify unmarked graves with ground penetrating radar. He also worked at the Marieval Indian Residential School site on the Cowessess First Nation where some 751 unmarked graves were discovered.

The residential school at Sturgeon Landing began operation in 1926. (submitted photo/Tina Pelletier)

“Our team is honoured to be entrusted with this significant work and we hope this project will contribute to reconciliation efforts,” says Dr. Susan Blum, associate vice-president, Applied Research and Innovation at Sask Polytech. “We are privileged to share our technical expertise, equipment and experience to collaborate with community partners on important applied research projects like this. Our team will be using remote sensing technologies to locate unidentified and unmarked grave sites at Sturgeon Landing and provide the findings to PBCN.”

Elder Emile Highway, survivor and former student of Sturgeon Landing, talking about his experiences with his nephew and family. (Submitted photo/Tina Pelletier)

The PBCN said it is likely that additional GPR work will take place in 2025, as ‘the site is large and has complex geological and disturbed land conditions.’

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

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