Lac La Ronge Indian Band Coun. Devin Bernatchez, Chief Tammy Cook-Searson and Anglican Bishop Michael Hawkins. (Submitted photo/Tammy Cook-Searson)

By Derek Cornet

search continues

Ground radar at historic La Ronge cemetery nearly complete

Oct 5, 2021 | 1:26 PM

Ground penetrating radar at an historic cemetery in La Ronge is on the verge of completion.

A crew with SNC Lavalin arrived in La Ronge on Friday to begin three days of work after two prior visits to the community. The team first arrived in La Ronge in July to begin searching for unmarked graves.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson explained the search is now about 97 per cent complete.

“SNC Lavalin was hoping to get the inside of the cemetery completed this weekend, but they weren’t able to do that because the terrain is a little more difficult in some areas,” she said. “Once SNC Lavalin is able to do the inside of the cemetery, then we will present that to council and we will see when we’ll release the report.”

Cook-Searson mentioned the cemetery was used to bury those who died at the Lac La Ronge All Saints Indian Residential School, but also served as a final resting place for other community members. In addition, Elders have identified other areas of concern where there could be unmarked graves. In the past, the unbaptized or those who committed suicide were not buried in the cemetery.

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Anglican Lord Bishop of Saskatchewan Michael Hawkins and Diocesan Indigenous Bishop Adam Halkett both attended a ceremony on Friday. Hawkins was asked to bless the cemetery and to be in attendance.

“We had hands-on healers and we also had John Irving there who has been doing a lot of research for the last seven years on the cemetery,” Cook-Searson said. “We have a lot of historical documents that he’s been able to gather. Bishop Michael Hawkins also brought names of students that passed away at the school.”

Cook-Searson wanted to thank everyone who attended during the weekend, noting she hopes SNC Lavalin will be able to return soon. She said crews should be able to return to finish the work even in the winter.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno