Almost two-thirds of Canadians are seeking more concrete evidence before fully accepting claims about unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, according to a recent poll that has intensified an already sensitive national conversation.
The survey, conducted by Maru Public Opinion, found that 64% of respondents believe additional investigation is needed to verify the 2021 announcement that ground-penetrating radar had detected what appeared to be 215 unmarked graves at the site. This finding comes amid ongoing work by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, which has yet to release its final technical report on the discovery that shocked the nation two years ago.
“What we’re seeing isn’t necessarily denial, but rather Canadians wrestling with how to process what would be one of the most profound revelations in our national history,” explains Dr. Karla Thompson, historian at the University of British Columbia who specializes in Indigenous-settler relations. “People want certainty before they fully internalize such painful truths.”
The poll results arrive at a particularly delicate moment. The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc leadership has repeatedly stated they require time to complete their work with dignity and cultural protocols. Their approach involves careful consultation with affected families and communities before publishing comprehensive findings.
Chief Rosanne Casimir addressed media inquiries earlier this month, emphasizing the importance of thorough, respectful investigation. “We understand the public interest, but we must prioritize doing this work correctly rather than quickly,” she stated. “These are not just historical artifacts but potential resting places of children whose families still grieve.”
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has recorded 4,118 children who died at residential schools across Canada. Experts believe the actual number could be significantly higher due to incomplete record-keeping and deliberate destruction of documents.
Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, cautioned against demanding proof in ways that dismiss Indigenous experiences. “The history of residential schools in Canada is one where evidence was systematically destroyed,” he noted in a recent CBC interview. “Expecting perfect documentation from a system designed to hide its crimes misunderstands the fundamental issue.”
The poll also revealed significant regional and demographic differences in Canadian perspectives. Quebec respondents showed the highest skepticism, with 72% requesting more evidence, while British Columbia residents were more likely to accept the initial findings, with 41% saying no further proof was necessary.
Canadians under 35 were substantially more inclined to accept the preliminary radar findings compared to those over 55, suggesting a generational divide in how these historical revelations are processed.
Marc Edwards, who participated in the survey, explained his position: “I’m not questioning that terrible things happened at residential schools. That’s established fact. I just want to understand exactly what we’ve found before forming conclusions about these specific sites.”
Indigenous advocates note that skepticism about unmarked graves reopens wounds for survivors. “Every time these questions arise, survivors relive trauma,” says Linda Gray, director of the Indigenous Healing Foundation. “They don’t need radar to confirm what their communities have known for generations.”
The political response to the poll has been measured. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu acknowledged public questions but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting First Nations’ investigations. “Communities must lead this process on their own terms and timelines,” she stated during Question Period last week.
The Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald expressed frustration with ongoing debates about evidence. “Children died at these institutions. Their remains weren’t returned home. These are documented facts,” she said in a statement released Monday.
For communities conducting searches, technical challenges remain significant. Ground-penetrating radar provides images requiring expert interpretation, and conditions like soil composition can affect results. Complete excavation, while potentially more conclusive, raises profound ethical and spiritual concerns for many Indigenous communities.
Sarah Carlton, an archaeologist specializing in non-invasive site investigation, explained: “This technology shows anomalies consistent with graves, but it can’t tell you who is buried there or how they died. That’s why communities are proceeding carefully with additional verification methods.”
As Canada grapples with this chapter of its history, the debate reflects broader questions about reconciliation and whose standards of evidence take precedence in addressing historical injustices.
Dr. Thomas Berger, professor of Canadian Studies at McGill University, observes: “We’re witnessing the collision between Western evidentiary standards and Indigenous oral histories. Reconciliation requires finding a way to honor both while acknowledging the power imbalances that have privileged one over the other.”
Meanwhile, the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc continue their careful work, balancing public interest with their responsibility to those who may lie in unmarked graves – children whose stories, regardless of the final count, represent a painful legacy that continues to shape our national identity.
