A First Nation leading the investigation into potential unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School says the search process could take decades as work continues to assess possible burial sites and determine next steps.

Leadership with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation told a Senate committee that the effort involves complex technical analysis, community consultation and cultural considerations that cannot be rushed. 

The investigation relies on tools such as ground penetrating radar to identify soil disturbances to confirm what lies beneath the surface and how to proceed.

The project has already received 12.1 million dollars in federal funding as part of a commitment by the Federal Government to residential school investigations across Canada. 

Officials indicated continued work at Kamloops will require additional funding over many years with total costs expected to rise as more areas are studied and as decisions are made about potential excavation, memorialization and long term site management.

Leaders say the process will continue as more data is gathered.