'We need to know': Calls grow for former Ontario residential school site to be searched for possible remains
Next to where there was once a fire escape, names are etched into bricks.
They are the names of children who were removed from their families and forced to attend Mohawk Institute, a former residential school in Brantford, Ontario.
Roberta Hill was taken here when she was six years old. She vividly remembers the isolation and abuse, and never lived with her mother again.
It’s believed some children never made it out of the school alive.
“I was here 1957 to 1961. The stories have always been here,” Hill said. “Stories of children being buried here on-site or close by.”
Survivor John Elliott’s time at the school dates back to the 1940s when he too heard stories about burial grounds at a nearby farm and behind the school. He said he feels lucky to have escaped after attempting to run away more than 25 times.
“They would pick me up and bring me back. They used to have a bench and they’d put you over that and pull your pants down and give you a strapping … until they got tired,” Elliott said.
In the nearby Six Nations of the Grand River, Chief Mark Hill said everyone in his community is impacted by the legacy of the school.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he’s calling for assistance to search the site for possible remains and to document, honour the dead, and criminally investigate.
“We need to look at the seriousness of this and that’s where our community is coming from, in looking to research not just the grounds, but any other areas in terms of school survivor stories, experiences, all of those pieces,” Hill told CTV News Toronto.
Mohawk Institute opened in 1831 and didn’t close until almost 140 years later in 1970. It’s now the Woodland Cultural Centre, a community organization ready to support a search if that’s what the community wants.
“The conversation is happening right now and it seems to be that will be the call to action,” said Janis Monture, executive director.
“We have done some work already on our site, approximately five acres on the girls’ side of the property has gone under stage three of an archeological assessment. We have done some ground penetration technology already,” she continued.
For many survivors, the search for possible children's remains at the site matters. It’s about answers, to grieve and to heal.
“Now this is coming out after so many years. I think it should be done,” said Elliott. “It means a lot to me.”
“I think we need to know,” said Hill. ”There are residential school kids that say, ‘yeah somebody died here.’ Let’s look in those areas.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
BREAKING City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate outside of taxi bylaw, judge rules
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.