In 2020, Maȟpíya Lúta committed to bringing ground penetrating radar to campus. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has been used by multiple former residential and boarding schools in Canada and the U.S. to locate unmarked graves or graves whose markings have deteriorated over the course of time. The use of GPR is helpful in the process of confronting the history of boarding schools; it is one tool among many that helps a community reach a place of healing and truth.
While GPR has been used to determine the location of unmarked graves, it is important to note that it is not magic. GPR does not scan the ground for bones, but rather can identify shifts in the soil. It can detect soil patterns that vary based on multiple factors such as tree roots, water runoff, etc. This is why GPR experts encourage the use of multiple instruments to search for unmarked graves.
Maȟpíya Lúta has carried out two phases of GPR and excavation work as of March 2023.
Phase One of GPR
On May 18th, 2022 Maȟpíya Lúta carried out our first phase of GPR. The GPR process started with prayer and song by Lakota elders. Then experienced GPR technician, Marsha Small (Northern Cheyenne) and her team from the Ohio Valley Archeology, Inc, hosted a presentation about the various instruments used in the process. After lunch, community members were welcomed to test out the instruments. Marsha and her team carried out an initial scan of the front field of Maȟpíya Lúta as a way to demonstrate the technology. They also scanned one location where eyewitness testimony had recalled possible graves.
Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) President Kevin Killer and the Department of the Interior, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, some OST Tribal Council, along with other Interior staff were present on the day of the scan. They got to see some of the instruments and learn about the GPR process. Before leaving, President Killer and Assistant Secretary Newland offered prayers and remarks.
Results from Phase One
The results of that scan showed that:
1. Nothing of concern was found at the demonstration site.
2. That “definitive indications of graves are not present in the radar data” at the testimonial site in Drexel Hall basement. However, two “anomalies” were found, which according to the report, could be a variety of different things: rocks, water leakage, air pockets, etc.
Because of this, the surveyors recommended we explore the soil to determine what those anomalies were.
Phase Two
During the week of October 16th, 2022 a forensic excavation was conducted in the basement of Drexel Hall to further investigate an eyewitness testimony of potentially unmarked graves. Maȟpíya Lúta is thankful for the eyewitness’s courage to step forward and share their testimony.
The purpose of the forensic excavation was to investigate two anomalies that were found through ground penetrating radar technology in May 2022. In October, the excavation team investigated the entire area surrounding the two anomalies by digging and surveying the soil. The first anomaly was related to building products (mortar for laying bricks and nails). The second anomaly was related to animal activity (several places where rodents burrowed). The FBI and community members were present and involved throughout the duration of the soil survey.
To be clear, no human remains were found in the soil survey.
The official report produced by the excavation team led by Marsha Small (Northern Cheyenne) and her team at Ohio Valley Archeology, can be found by
Maȟpíya Lúta is committed to scanning any other eyewitness testimonial sites in the future and will cooperate with law enforcement and local authorities if discoveries are made. If you have or anyone you know would like to make a report related to unmarked graves or deaths at Holy Rosary Mission, please email Cecilia Fire Thunder at [email protected].
Indigenous Protocols
Maȟpíya Lúta has been working with Marsha Small (Northern Cheyenne) in our ground penetrating radar process. Marsha is a co-author of Indigenous Protocols for GPR and reminds us that this is not a search for numbers, but individuals, ancestors. We are committed to an intentional process that honors and includes multiple communities, using the Indigenous Protocols.
Rather than scanning our entire grounds, which could yield inconclusive results, we will also scan places where there have been eyewitness testimony or research suggesting where potential unmarked graves may be located.
It is important to note that our cemetery is not like the cemeteries from places like Kamloops or Carlisle. Those schools were far away from the nations children came from. Their cemeteries were exclusively for students who passed away. The cemetery near campus is a community cemetery where families are buried alongside the men and women’s religious. This means that our process of identifying historic graves whose markings have deteriorated is a community process of re-committing our ancestors to memory.