On June 7 2021, Randy Sibbeston filed a motion with the Village of Fort Simpson proposing they investigate a former gravesite upon which two schools now sit.

SA国际影视传媒淚nitially, the village had passed a resolution of support for the Liidlii Kue First Nation to investigate the history of the graves through research and ground penetrating radar, etc., using federal money that had been recently announced,SA国际影视传媒� wrote Sean Whelly, mayor of Fort Simpson, to NNSL in an email.

Sibbeston claims that almost a year on, nothing has been done.

SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e lollygagging around the issue,SA国际影视传媒� said Sibbeston. SA国际影视传媒淜ids are playing on their ancestorsSA国际影视传媒� graves. Something needs to be done.SA国际影视传媒�

According to media reports, the gravesites in Fort Simpson have been common knowledge for decades.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople are accepting of it. Some people are OK with it SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 just the way things are done but ISA国际影视传媒檓 not,SA国际影视传媒� said Sibbeston.

In his motion, Sibbeston supplied a letter from 1965 that outlined a local priestSA国际影视传媒檚 concerns about moving the gravesite.

The letter stated there were 402 bodies buried in Roman Catholic cemetery from 1915 to 1957 in lot 17, which measures approximately 46 by 76 metres.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 now the site of L铆铆dl寞寞 K煤臋 Regional High School and L铆铆dl寞寞 K煤臋 Elementary School.

SA国际影视传媒淵our department had at first considered moving the cemetery. But when they learned that there were so many bodies to be moved, they got frightened by the idea, and also considered that it would be really too expensive,SA国际影视传媒� wrote Father Henri Posset.

Posset later committed suicide following an investigation into allegations of child sexual assault.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are no plans for excavation,SA国际影视传媒� Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly stated last week. SA国际影视传媒淭he village does support any Liidlii Kue First Nation attempt to help identify gravesites and bring more clarity to the whole issue of the gravesite and its history.SA国际影视传媒�

Sibbeston noted building over a cemetery poses serious legal consequences. According to the Canadian Criminal Code, desecration of one grave can carry up to five years of imprisonment.

SA国际影视传媒淭he responsibility for seeking a legal opinion regarding village liability regarding grave sites at or around the LaPointe Hall fell on the village, as it was a village resolution to consult with a lawyer on the matter. The council approved the motion, moved by Mr. Randy Sibbeston.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭here was a legal opinion sought to determine if some liability exists with the Village of Fort Simpson. That was a resolution brought forth by Mr. Sibbeston. I do not know if that was actually received. The dates of course predate the establishment of the current village government,SA国际影视传媒� wrote Whelly.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think it is not about escaping liability, I think it is about supporting the search for truth and that was a very important aspect of Mr. SibbestonSA国际影视传媒檚 motion.

SA国际影视传媒淭he village wants to support the First Nation to give rest to many unanswered questions that seem to linger unresolved around this burial site.SA国际影视传媒�

Sibbeston is no longer a village councillor, having lost his seat in last fallSA国际影视传媒檚 municipal election.

Sibbeston said urgent action must be taken, describing the site as not only a moral issue but a public health concern.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen it rains, the gravesites soak up and then expel contaminated water,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

As a child, he said he played at the sites in question, and as a result, got very sick.

SA国际影视传媒淪omething must be done to protect our children,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e running around in a graveyard.SA国际影视传媒�