A Turning Point in the Quest for Truth and Reconciliation
The quest for truth and reconciliation surrounding the dark legacy of residential schools in Canada took a significant step forward in a recent webinar sponsored by the National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools Missing Children and Unmarked Burials. In the third presentation of the series, titled "Beyond Ground Penetrating Radar: How other techniques can complement GPR and help in the search for residential schools unmarked burials," Dr. Terence Clark of the University of Saskatchewan sheds light on the pivotal role played by S4's Subterra Grey in locating unmarked graves associated with former First Nations residential schools.
Project and Organizational Background:
The National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools Missing Children and Unmarked Burials, an official body in Canada, was established to provide Indigenous communities with independent, trusted, and expert information for their efforts to identify, locate, and commemorate missing children. The committee brings together individuals with diverse expertise, including Indigenous laws, cultural protocols, forensics, archaeology, archival research, criminal investigations, communication, and working with survivors. Guided by a Circle of Survivors, the committee is supported by the Government of Canada and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
S4's Subterra Grey in Focus:
Dr. Terance Clark's presentation during the webinar offered a comprehensive overview of S4's Subterra Grey and its capabilities in the search for unmarked graves. Subterra Grey emerges as a cutting-edge technology that goes beyond traditional Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) methods. The clarity of Dr. Clark's exposition highlighted the potential of Subterra Grey as a breakthrough solution for addressing the challenge of locating children's burials at the sites of former residential schools.
Comparing with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR):
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a widely used geophysical method in forensic research that employs radar pulses to image the subsurface. It is effective in non-destructively detecting buried or hidden targets, including missing persons, and precisely locating and defining their geometries. GPR investigations have the potential to detect both hollow and forensic targets.
While GPR plays a crucial role in forensic research, Subterra Grey stands out by offering a complementary approach. Subterra Grey's visible and infrared spectroscopy provides additional insights into soil composition, specifically detection of the fatty salts that are the long-lived burial residue. This dual-method approach, combining GPR and Subterra Grey, enhances the overall effectiveness of unmarked graves search, providing a more comprehensive understanding of subsurface conditions.
Official Recognition and Significance:
The inclusion of S4's technology in the National Advisory Committee's webinar is a landmark moment for Subterra Grey, signifying its acceptance as a mainstream method in the search for unmarked graves. The committee's role as an official entity addressing the problem adds a layer of credibility and importance to the use of Subterra Grey in the work of locating and identifying unmarked graves and burial sites. This is a significant milestone for S4, emphasizing the technology's potential impact on truth and reconciliation efforts in Canada.
Webinar Recording:
For those interested in viewing the presentation, the full webinar recording is available on YouTube here. Dr. Terance Clark's segment, discussing the application of S4's Subterra Grey, can be found in the third of the four presentations.
The collaboration between S4 and the National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools Missing Children and Unmarked Burials represents a crucial advancement in the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth about the dark history of residential schools in Canada. As Subterra Grey gains recognition and becomes an integral part of the toolkit for truth and reconciliation, it marks a significant turning point in the journey towards healing and commemoration.
For more information about the National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools Missing Children and Unmarked Burials, click here.