On Thursday, NDP deputy critic for Indigenous Services Niki Ashton, called for the federal government to extend funding for searches at residential school sites beyond 2025.

Ashton had this to say about the situation.

“Communities have located evidence of more than 2,300 children in suspected unmarked graves at or near former residential schools and Indian hospitals. Communities need answers, they need to be able to bring their children home. Unfortunately, Canada’s response has been less then acceptable.”

Pimicikamak Chief David Monias, along with Dene National Chief Gerald Antoine, encouraged the federal government to fund the International Commission on Missing Persons beyond the present two-million dollars.

ICMP presented an interim report last week that covers the work done so far and suggests next steps.

Antoine said residential schools amounted to genocide and a crime, and that families deserve justice.