Chief and Council of the Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) have announced they will be releasing the preliminary geophysical results from the first phase of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School investigation later this month.
The Nation postponed the announcement from an initial date scheduled for Dec. 7, 2021 in order to give adequate time for neighbouring First Nation communities to put in place the necessary health and wellness supports.
Williams Lake First Nation will now release the results in the afternoon of Jan. 25 during a formal press conference.
“We’re grateful that we were able to complete the first phase of our geophysical research and will be in a position to have greater clarity about the results of the ground-penetrating radar and other technical investigations,” states WLFN Chief, Willie Sellars in a news release.
“This has been an extremely challenging time for WLFN and other First Nations who were affected by the facility at St. Joseph’s. We have out of necessity in the course of our investigation opened old wounds and asked people to recount some terrible and harrowing stories. But the information provided has helped shape our investigation and I’m thankful to make progress on this first phase of our work.”
Prior to releasing the geophysical investigation results to the public, WLFN will also be conducting a private meeting with the Chiefs of the communities directly affected by the operations at St. Joseph’s Mission.
This meeting will take place on the morning of Jan. 25 and will provide the Chiefs with an opportunity to ask questions of the technical experts involved in the first phase of investigations.
“We know that everyone is eager to receive these results,” adds Chief Sellars.
“But we’re asking that everyone be patient and respectful of the process. Our key concern is the mental health and welfare of the survivors of St. Joseph’s, and that of their families. We’re trying to conduct this process in as orderly a fashion as possible.”
