Blue Quills (APTN News Edmonton video, 19 May 2022)

NOTE: See also CBC article of Tuesday, 17 May 2022, the date of this press conference

NOTE: See also my transcript of the fourth video in Global News article of 24 January 2023 in which Eric Large says he uncovered human remains in 2017 which consisted of ‘small bones’ and that he ‘couldn’t tell what they were, I mean from what parts of the body’. That video is embedded in a Global News article by Emily Mertz dated 24 May 2023 at:

https://globalnews.ca/news/9432774/saddle-lake-cree-nation-residential-school-investigation-report/

NOTE: In video transcribed below, Eric Large made a shovelling motion when talking about finding the rib cage and the skull.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J52PLRzKCz0

Over 200 children died at the Blue Quills residential school: Saddle Lake Cree Nation | APTN News

2,548 views May 19, 2022 #aptnalberta

The Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta says over 200 children died at the Blue Quills Indian Residential School – and they want to find the remains of their missing children.

Eric Large: It was one of the most horrific residential schools in Canada.

Chris Stewart: The Blue Quills Indian Residential School operated from 1931 to 1970 by the Roman Catholic Church. Today it is home to the Blue Quills University owned and operated by nearby First Nations.

The Saddle Lake Cree Nation says that 215 children ages 6 to 11 never returned home from the residential school. Eric Large is the lead researcher and says they have the documents to prove it.

Eric Large: The amount of missing children is extensive. It can be safely stated that in our community of 12,000 people, each family has had 4 to 5 children who went missing from this institution.

Chris Stewart: Jason Whiskeyjack is a counsellor at Saddle Lake.

Jason Whiskeyjack: We need to find out if there's any more in that area.

Chris Stewart: The two men say that they have come across remains while burying current members who have passed away.

Eric Large: I came across a small rib cage attached to a spine, and then more infilling, I came across a small skull.

Jason Whiskeyjack: When I hit a lot of these graves, you know, there's no supports for us.

Chris Stewart: The band is asking the federal government for help in using ground penetrating radar to help find the remains of their children and to help with a wellness center to assist in any members suffering from trauma. Chris Stewart, APTN National News, Edmonton.