The following op-ed by PSAC National President Chris Aylward was published by the Ottawa Citizen and other Postmedia outlets on September 30, 2023.

Today marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to remember missing Indigenous children and survivors across Canada who were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools.

These missing children are Le Estcwicwéy̓, which is pronounced “le-es-kwee-kway," and translates to “the missing” in the language of the Tk‘emlúpsemc people in British Columbia. It’s important to call Le Estcwicwéy̓ by their appropriate name, as Indigenous communities continue to grapple with the grim reality of searching for unmarked graves at former residential school sites. These areas are crime scenes and are treated as such by the communities affected until investigations are complete.

A total of 144 residential schools were attended by more than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children between the ages of four and 16. At least 4,100 children are officially recorded as having died while at residential schools, but that’s not counting the deaths that continue to be uncovered.

An estimated 1,967 gravesites have been found using radar technology, but only 11 residential school sites have been searched. The Indian Residential School Survivors Society estimates there are more than 10,000 children in unmarked burial sites at residential schools and Indian hospitals across the country, which means we still have a long way to go to uncover all the lost lives of Le Estcwicwéy̓.

The federal government committed $320 million for programs to help Indigenous communities search burial sites at former residential schools and to support survivors and their communities. But this commitment came only after hundreds of potential graves had already been discovered through the efforts of various First Nations who had to undertake the initial work themselves. While it’s a step in the right direction — especially after the Harper government denied $1.5 million in 2009 to search for unmarked graves — much more needs to be done.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree know their contribution isn’t nearly enough to do the work that’s needed. It’s time this government stepped up its efforts and searched all former residential school sites and surrounding areas using ground penetrating radar to find other unmarked graves. There’s no other way to properly uncover the truth of the genocide, and to honour those lost.

This is an issue that all Canadians should engage with. That’s why we’re pressuring the federal government to expand the search, and to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 71-76, “Missing Children and Burial Information,” to properly address the legacy of residential schools.

We can’t move forward without moving together towards reconciliation and healing. We all have a role and a responsibility to support Indigenous communities in the search for truth and justice.

This year, while we reflect on and commemorate the painful legacy and impact of residential schools, let’s also push the federal government to search all former residential school sites without further delay. 

Together, we must uncover the truth of Le Estcwicwéy̓, honour their memory, and take concrete steps towards reconciliation.

Chris Aylward is the national president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, one of Canada’s largest unions. It represents nearly 230,000 members across the country.