Millions in federal funds to recover suspected Indian children's graves in B.C. went elsewhere: Report

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What was supposed to be millions spent to recover suspected children’s graves at an Indian Residential School in B.C. instead went to publicists and consultants, according to financial records obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter.

The records were obtained under the Access to Information Act which the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations attempted to hide, the report said.

The department only released the records by order of Information Commissioner Carolyn Maynard.

“I order the Minister to provide a complete response,” the commissioner wrote last Nov. 27.

The records show the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation received more than $12 million in funding after announcing the discovery of 215 children’s graves in Kamloops, B.C. in 2021.

That claim was later revised to 200 “potential burials” and no human remains have been recovered to date despite “requests from families to return bodies,” said an internal memo.

Initially, the First Nation was awarded nearly $8 million to uncover the graves, said the federal department.

“The community had received $7.9 million for field work, records searches and to secure the Residential School grounds,” a spokesperson told Blacklock’s last May 8.

But later the funding went up to $12.1 million.

“The budget is robust and comprehensive but what is required,” said minutes of a 2021 First Nation council meeting.

The Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations did enquire with the Kamloops group on what “archaeological and forensic work” was underway.

“I know you are aware of the incredibly complex nature of this type of work,” wrote Mandy McCarthy, the department’s acting director general.

“We are not seeking to intervene in this matter but are trying to understand the approach,” wrote McCarthy, who questioned whether “you have all the information you need to advance exhumation protocols and DNA testing.”

The department censored all details surrounding the $12.1 million, however, the First Nations Health Authority transferred $2.3 million in federal funding to Tk’emlups organizers and did itemize some expenses for a nine-month period, the report said.

Costs included $37,500 for “marketing and communications,” $54,000 in travel, $100,000 as six month’s pay for two trauma counsellors and $405,000 in “administrative costs” including speaking fees and tent rentals.

The department said in one book-keeping entry called Community Support Funding Envelope that the First Nation hired 25 consultants to “provide advice and support to the Chief and Council” and paid publicists to develop “communications strategies.”

No consultants were named and some $532,000 was paid for security while other funds were proposed for public works projects.

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