Authorities Uncover Hundreds of Unmarked Graves at Former Indian Boarding School in Canada

(CNN) – Hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered at the site of the former Marieval Indigenous Residential School in Canada, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) said Wednesday.

The Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan County will host a press conference on Thursday to announce the “horrifying and gruesome discovery” of the graves, the FSIN said in a statement. “The number of unmarked graves will be the most significant yet in Canada,” the statement said.

The discovery comes after the discovery of the remains of 215 minors buried near the Kamloops Indian Boarding School in British Columbia, Canada. Following the discovery of the children’s remains, indigenous leaders and survivors of Canadian internees have asked authorities to carry out a thorough investigation of all former internees in the country.

Meanwhile, local Saskatchewan County leaders are reaching out to survivors and families to inform them of the find, the FSIN said.

“The highest priority is the health, healing and well-being of the survivors and their families, as well as the Cowessess First Nation community,” said Larissa Burnouf of FSIN Communications.

Photos and videos of the venue are expected to be provided this Thursday during the press conference.

The Cowessess Nation It is located near the community of Broadview, approximately 100 miles from the provincial capital, Regina.