Saskatchewan: More than 750 unmarked graves found on site of former indigenous school in Canada

It comes after the remains of 215 children, some as young as three, were found at another school.

A cross outside the former school where the remains of 215 children were found in Saskatchewan (Pic: AP)
Image: A cross outside the former school where the remains of 215 children were found in Saskatchewan. Pic: AP
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Investigators have found more than 750 unmarked graves at the site of a former indigenous school in Canada.

It comes just weeks after the remains of 215 children were discovered at another school in May.

Chief Bobby Cameron, of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous First Nations, said: "We are treating this as a crime".

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking after the 215 children's remains were found near British Colombia.
Image: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his 'heart breaks' for the victims

He warned how he expected more graves to be found on residential school grounds in Canada.

And Chief Cameron vowed not to stop "until we find all the bodies", describing the tragedy as a "crime against humanity, an assault on First Nations."

The 751 graves were found at the Marieval Indian Residential School, open from 1899 until 1997, where Cowessess is now located.

The graves had markers in the past which were removed by people operating the school, Chief Cadmusn Delmore of the Cowessess First Nation told a news conference.

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Chief Bobby Cameron has vowed not to stop 'until we find all the bodies'  (Picture: AP)
Image: Chief Bobby Cameron has vowed not to stop 'until we find all the bodies'. Pic: AP

The reserve is about situated about 87 miles east of Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan, in western Canada.

Adults as well as children are believed to have been buried on the site, said Chief Delmore.

"We are not asking for pity. We are asking for understanding," he said.

"We didn't remove the headstones. Removing headstones is a crime in this country.

"We are treating this like a crime scene."

The remains of 215 children - some as young as three - were found buried on the former site of Canada's largest indigenous school, near Kamloops, British Colombia, in May.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the discovery as "heartbreaking".

Mr Trudeau tweeted this afternoon: "My heart breaks for the Cowessess First Nation following the discovery of indigenous children buried at the former Marieval Residential School.

"We cannot bring them back, but we will honour their memory and we will tell the truth about these injustices."

Mr Trudeau added: "I know these findings only deepen the pain that families, survivors, and all indigenous communities are already feeling."

Pope Francis blesses attendees after celebrating Easter Mass at St Peter's Basilica at The Vatican
Image: The Pope described the discovery of the 215 children as a 'sad affair'

More than 150,000 indigenous children were forced to attend state-funded Christian schools - many run by Roman Catholic missionaries - from the 19th century until the 1970s.

The Canadian government apologised in 2008 after admitting students suffered physical and sexual abuse and were beaten for speaking in their native languages.

Up to 6,000 are said to have died.

The Pope described his anguish following the discovery of the 215 bodies, urging religious and political parties to investigate "this sad affair".

But he has not offered the apology sought by First Nations and Mr Trudeau.

Chief Delmore said last month: "The Pope needs to apologise for what happened.

"An apology is one stage in the way of a healing journey."