Overview Technical Guidance for Communities

In 2022, the British Columbia Technical Working Group on Missing Children and Unmarked Burials began developing one-page summaries of key technical issues in an accessible format to help those involved in ground searches for missing children. This work was expanded in 2025 by the Reconciliation Network Project.

Ground searches for ancestors are complex. If you need support, please contact the National Residential School Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419). Links to additional supports can be found on the CAA Working Groups' information page. 

The Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology at the University of Alberta has a reference page of resources that provide important guidance for ground searches Community Resources | Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology (ualberta.ca). These include detailed guidance on technical methods: Planning and Research Guides | Institute of Prairie and Indigenous Archaeology (ualberta.ca).

The National Advisory Committee on Residential School Missing Children and Unmarked Burials has compiled useful resources for all facets of IRS searches.

Technical Summaries

The technical aspects of this work can be difficult to understand without specialized training. The links to the left connect to subpages that provide one-page summaries of key technical issues and methods in an accessible format. The links below open up printable versions of these documents. 

The BC Technical Working Group includes: Dave Schaepe (chair), Anne Atleo, Sarah Beaulieu, Remy Benoit, Kathleen Bertrand, Cara Bendzy, Hugo Cardoso, Lisa Davidson, Shannon Enns, Colin Green, Erica Kay, Amber Kostuchenko, Hudson Kunicky, Kim Lawson, Andrew Martindale, David McAtackney, Ivy Peers, Whitney Spearing, Nick Weber, Vicky White, Brian Whiting, Ashley Whitworth, Megan Whonnock. Kisha Supernant and Camilla Speller assisted with the content of these documents.

Community-Oriented Archaeology: Partnerships in the Exploration of History & Environments

Research Excellence Clusters at UBC Vancouver is a joint initiative of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver and the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. Funding support for the clusters is provided by Academic Excellence Funds – UBC Vancouver.

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