Indigenous people in Canada's Saskatchewan province announced Tuesday that 54 unmarked graves have been found at two former residential schools, adding to the growing number of unmarked burials that shocked the country last year.

Keeseekoose First Nation's Ted Quewezance, who is leading a search for graves near Fort Pelly and St. Phillip's residential schools using ground-penetrating radar, revealed the findings at a press conference.

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"Canadians still cannot believe a human being could treat another human being, especially a child, like the way we were treated," he said, holding back tears.

Last year, similar findings were made at several other boarding schools across Canada.

For years, the Catholic Church ran two schools for the federal government - St. Phillip's School from 1905 to 1913 and Fort Pelly School from 1928 to 1969.

Chief Lee Kitchemonia, suggested that "could potentially have been, you know, murdered," recommending that more investigation be conducted.

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"We passed by them (daily), never realizing there were graves there," he said, adding that the community faces a "very tough time" dealing with the finds.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in a Facebook post said "Saskatchewan mourns with you" as the Keeseekoose First Nation experiences "the same shock and despair as other First Nations across the country."

Approximately 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were forced to attend these schools from the late 1800s to the 1990s. These schools were set up to forcibly assimilate the country's Indigenous people.

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While isolated from their families for months or years, many students were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who deprived them of their culture and language.

In a 2015 report, a truth-and-reconciliation commission described more than 4,000 deaths at schools, mostly caused by malnutrition, disease, and suicide. It referred to the deaths as "cultural genocide."

More than 1,300 graves have been discovered since May 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indigenous people in Canada's Saskatchewan province announced Tuesday that 54 unmarked graves have been found at two former residential schools, adding to the growing number of unmarked burials that shocked the country last year.

Indigenous people in Canada's Saskatchewan province announced Tuesday that 54 unmarked graves have been found at two former residential schools, adding to the growing number of unmarked burials that shocked the country last year. Keeseekoose First Nation's Ted Quewezance, who is leading a search for graves near Fort Pelly and St. Phillip's residential schools using ground-penetrating radar, revealed the findings at a press conference. Also read | Canada: Catholic Church apologises 'unequivocally' for indigenous people abuse in schools "Canadians still cannot believe a human being could treat another human being, especially a child, like the way we were treated," he said, holding back tears. Last year, similar findings were made at several other boarding schools across Canada. For years, the Catholic Church ran two schools for the federal government - St. Phillip's School from 1905 to 1913 and Fort Pelly School from 1928 to 1969. Chief Lee Kitchemonia, suggested that "could potentially have been, you know, murdered," recommending that more investigation be conducted. Also read | Canada officially bans LGBT conversion therapy, makes it a punishable offence "We passed by them (daily), never realizing there were graves there," he said, adding that the community faces a "very tough time" dealing with the finds. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in a Facebook post said "Saskatchewan mourns with you" as the Keeseekoose First Nation experiences "the same shock and despair as other First Nations across the country." Approximately 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were forced to attend these schools from the late 1800s to the 1990s. These schools were set up to forcibly assimilate the country's Indigenous people. Watch | Gravitas: Trudeau invokes emergency powers to crush anti-vaxxers While isolated from their families for months or years, many students were physically and sexually abused by headmasters and teachers who deprived them of their culture and language. In a 2015 report, a truth-and-reconciliation commission described more than 4,000 deaths at schools, mostly caused by malnutrition, disease, and suicide. It referred to the deaths as "cultural genocide." More than 1,300 graves have been discovered since May 2021. (With inputs from agencies)

More unmarked indigenous graves found at yet another Canadian school; 1300 graves since May 2021

More than 160 'undocumented and unmarked' graves have been found&nbsp;in British Columbia’s&nbsp;Southern Gulf Islands, once home to the Kuper Island Residential School, said&nbsp;Penelakut&nbsp;Tribe.&nbsp;

This latest discovery has come up in continuation to&nbsp;other similar findings in British Columbia as well as in Saskatchewan province.&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-unmarked-graves-found-at-another-indigenous-school-in-canada-393533">Hundreds of unmarked graves found at another Indigenous school in Canada</a>

In a statement posted by the&nbsp;neighbouring&nbsp;Cowichan Tribes on its Facebook page, the&nbsp;Penelakut&nbsp;Tribe said,&nbsp;"It is impossible to get over acts of genocide and human rights violations. Healing is an ongoing process, and sometimes it goes well, and sometimes,&nbsp;we lose more people because the burden is too great.”&nbsp;

“We are at another point in time where we must face the trauma because of these acts of genocide. Each time we do, it is possible to heal a little more,"&nbsp;added the&nbsp;tribe in the statement.&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trudeau-says-canada-must-learn-from-our-past-after-school-graves-found-393758">Trudeau says Canada must 'learn from our past' after school graves found</a>

Survivors of the Kuper School regarded it as 'Canada's Alcatraz’,&nbsp;as per a&nbsp;1997 documentary posted on YouTube and produced with funding from the federal government.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In recent weeks, hundreds of unmarked graves have been discovered.&nbsp;Several investigations have also been initiated with the help of&nbsp;ground-penetrating radar on the grounds of former residential schools across the&nbsp;country.&nbsp;

More than 160 'undocumented and unmarked' graves have been found in British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands, once home to the Kuper Island Residential School, said Penelakut Tribe.

More than 160 'undocumented and unmarked' graves have been found in British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands, once home to the Kuper Island Residential School, said Penelakut Tribe. This latest discovery has come up in continuation to other similar findings in British Columbia as well as in Saskatchewan province. Also Read: Hundreds of unmarked graves found at another Indigenous school in Canada In a statement posted by the neighbouring Cowichan Tribes on its Facebook page, the Penelakut Tribe said, "It is impossible to get over acts of genocide and human rights violations. Healing is an ongoing process, and sometimes it goes well, and sometimes, we lose more people because the burden is too great.” “We are at another point in time where we must face the trauma because of these acts of genocide. Each time we do, it is possible to heal a little more," added the tribe in the statement. Also Read: Trudeau says Canada must 'learn from our past' after school graves found Survivors of the Kuper School regarded it as 'Canada's Alcatraz’, as per a 1997 documentary posted on YouTube and produced with funding from the federal government. In recent weeks, hundreds of unmarked graves have been discovered. Several investigations have also been initiated with the help of ground-penetrating radar on the grounds of former residential schools across the country.

More unmarked graves of indigenous tribe discovered at 'Canada's Alcatraz'

The discovery of mass graves in Canada has put the spotlight on the shameful past of several other countries. Time & again western nations have had to confront the horrors of racial cleansing & mass graves. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: The most shocking discoveries of mass graves

After remains of 215 children were found in Canada's British Columbia, 751 unmarked graves have been unearthed in Saskatchewan. It is one of the largest burial sites found till date. Palki Sharma tells you how Canada is being forced to face one of the darkest chapters in its history.

Gravitas: Canada unearths its brutal history

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