The old Nanaimo Indian Hospital site is among 21 former facilities across the province where investigative searches could be conducted. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

fund open

Province opens fund to investigate residential school & hospital sites

Jul 20, 2021 | 4:45 PM

NANAIMO — Several communities around B.C. can now access funds to investigate residential schools and Indian hospital sites across the province.

The old Nanaimo Indian Hospital site off present day Fifth St. across from VIU is among three sites and 18 residential school sites where work could be undertaken.

The $12 million fund was announced in June in the midst of hundreds children’s remains beign detected at several residential school sites in B.C., including Penelakut Island east of Chemainus.

Murray Rankin, the minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation, said each community can receive up to $475,000 for every site as it carries out searches, planning, technical work and archival research, while also engaging with elders, survivors and other First Nations that have an interest in an area.

The province said it would fast-track the review of these requests to make sure communities are able to access resources when they are ready to undertake work at sites.

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No deadline is attached to the grants.

On Tuesday, July 20 the ministry announced the appointment of two First Nations liaisons to assist with the process.

Residential schools and hospitals operated in B.C. Between 1863 and 1985, according to the province.

The Nanaimo Indian Hospital operated between 1946 and 1967.

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