A former Saskatchewan children and youth advocate expects the remains of the 215 children found at a residential school in Kamloops will be just the tip of the iceberg.

Bob Pringle hopes that the grounds of all of the schools will now be searched.

In his 2010 report, Pringle said, “The conditions in residential schools were often harsh and hostile, and sexual and other physical abuse was quite common. In addition, many children died from disease and malnutrition.”

He considers the discovery of the children’s bodies a potential turning point because of the proof that they bring, uniting all levels of government to work with Indigenous partners.

The former children and youth advocate says he has been encouraged by comments from the premier and the prime minister, but suggests it needs to go beyond words.

“Canada is responsible and we are a part of Canada. I would say Canada casually threw away these children,” said Pringle.

He considers the residential school system the number one human rights issue in Canada’s history.

(CJWW)