From the Vancouver Sun, May 1, 2008

"Natives doubtful of 'mass graves' report
Kids buried on reserves, ex- minister claims
Judith Lavoie, Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, April 23, 2008

VANCOUVER ISLAND - First nations officials say they are skeptical about claims by a defrocked United Church minister that the bodies of children from residential schools are buried in several mass graves on Vancouver Island reserves.

But they were concerned that Kevin Annett is involved with some kind of unauthorized investigation and sites may be excavated without permission.

Annett has released a report saying 28 mass graves across Canada hold "the remains of untold numbers of aboriginal children."


Annett, 52, spent from 1993 to 1995 at St. Andrew's United Church in Port Alberni before being "delisted" as a minister in 1997 after alleging the church was covering up abuse and murder of students at Alberni Residential School.

A counsellor in the Downtown Eastside, Annett said investigations into the grave sites, including collecting forensic remains, would start shortly.

But Tseshaht First Nation chief councillor Les Sam said there was no consultation with the Port Alberni band and he does not want people doing any unilateral investigating.

On Kuper Island, where Annett says there are graves in a field and in a lagoon, Penelakut Chief Lisa Shaver said the reports are alarming.

"We had no idea about any investigation and we are required to be consulted," she said.

In Alert Bay, another alleged grave site, Namgis senior administrator George Speck said he had asked around the community "and no one has a clue what he's referring to."