Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc says the latest round of ground-penetrating radar survey work near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School is set to begin later this week.

The band says Dr. Sarah Beaulieu of the University of the Fraser Valley will lead the operation which will be focused on the Chief Louis Centre.

“Doctor Beaulieu will be supported by Le Estcwicwéy̓ (The Missing) team along with the Tk’emlúps Natural Resources Department,”  a statement from Tk’emlúps said, noting this survey work will take over a month to complete.

This latest work comes almost a year to the day when Tk’emlúps announced the findings of what is believed to be the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Beaulieu led the previous ground-penetrating radar work on about two acres of land at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, the results of which were made public in July.

“My report identifies some of these probable locations. There remain over 160 acres that still require surveying before these numbers can be finalized,” Beaulieu said at the time. “I must indicate that this is the first part of an investigation with a knowing and oral histories that tell us there remains much more work to be done.”

“This project sought to first ascertain the likelihood of human burials within the study area, [to] begin a preliminary assessment of the possible locations of specific burials, and finally develop steps to further this work in order to confirm the number and location of possible burials.”

A memorial marking that one year anniversary will be taking place at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Arbour on Monday, May 23.

The Kamloops Indian Residential School was one of the largest in Canada, opening its doors in 1890 and not closing until 1976. It was run by the Roman Catholic Church until 1969, at which point it was taken over by the federal government until it was closed in 1976.

Support services for residential school survivors in British Columbia:

* The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a 24-hour, provincewide Indigenous crisis line for Indigenous peoples in B.C. Adults, call 250 723-4050. Children and youth, call 250 723-2040. Toll-free: 1 800 588-8717

* First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous people across Canada toll-free 1 855 242-3310 or chat online: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

* The Métis Crisis Line for Métis people in B.C., available 24 hours a day at 1 833 MétisBC: 1 833 638-4722

* Tsow Tun Le Lum for Indigenous peoples in B.C., phone: 1 888 403-3123

* Indian Residential School Survivors Society, phone: 1 800 721-0066 or 604 985-4464

* 24-Hour National Crisis Line for residential school survivors and others affected: 1 866 925-4419