[5]: 14 In 2021, Sarah Beaulieu, an anthropologist at the University of the Fraser Valley, surveyed the apple orchard on the grounds with ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and concluded it probably had some 200 unmarked graves,[6][7][8] but noted that "only forensic investigation with excavation" could confirm the presence of human remains.

[13] The first three two-story wooden structures had with separate living quarters for boys and girls and teachers, along with classrooms and a recreation area.

[15] In his 1896 annual report to the Department of Indian Affairs, Carion emphasized that the moral and religious training of students at the school was "the most important of all" and that school officials kept "constantly before their mind the object which the Government has in view in carrying on the industrial-schools, which is to civilize the Indians, to make them good, useful and lawabiding members of society.

A boy's supervisor, he was charged in the 1990s with several dozen sex crimes committed at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

[29] So did George Manuel (Secwépemc Nation), who said his three strongest memories of the school were: "hunger; speaking English; and being called a heathen because of my grandfather.

[40][41][6][42] The indigenous community had long suspected that unmarked graves were located at the residential school, attested to by oral history and eyewitness' memories.

[45] Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir of the Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) said that work was underway to determine whether the Royal British Columbia Museum held relevant records.

[46] In July 2021, Beaulieu revised her estimate to 200 and noted that they should be considered "probable burials" or "targets of interest", and said that only with an excavation could they be confirmed as human remains.

[47][41] Terry Teegee, the Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, said he believed that human remains were at the site.

CBC reported that the proposed idea remained controversial among school survivors, "with some seeing exhumation as a process that could help lay victims properly to rest, while others want them left undisturbed.

"That this situation exists is sadly not a surprise and illustrates the damaging and lasting impacts that the residential school system continues to have on First Nations people, their families and communities.

"[3] Premier of British Columbia John Horgan said that he was "horrified and heartbroken" at the discovery, and that he supported further efforts to bring to "light the full extent of this loss".

[3] Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the discovery "heartbreaking" the day of the announcement, and, on May 30, advised the Governor General to order flags on federal buildings to be flown at half-mast until further notice.

If we are going to actually create positive strides forward there needs to be that ability to continue the work, like the Indian Residential School Survivors Society does, in a meaningful way.

"[59] The discovery inspired a community memorial at the Vancouver Art Gallery, at which 215 pairs of children's shoes were laid out in rows.

The Anishinabek Nation tweeted in support of social media calls to put out teddy bears on porches on May 31, similar to what was done after the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash with hockey sticks.

[57] Within days of the report, the University of British Columbia announced a review of an honorary degree it had granted in 1986 to Bishop James Fergus O'Grady, a former principal of Kamloops Indian Residential School.

[64] On June 4, 2021, nine United Nations human rights experts called on Canada and the Catholic Church to carry out thorough investigations, and "conduct full-fledged investigations into the circumstances and responsibilities surrounding these deaths, including forensic examinations of the remains found, and to proceed to the identification and registration of the missing children.

"[65] On June 6, 2021, speaking to people gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis commented on the discovery:[66] "This sad discovery increases the awareness of the sorrows and sufferings of the past ... May the political and religious authorities continue to collaborate with determination to shed light on this sad affair and to commit to a path of healing.

[71] On June 10, the city of Victoria, British Columbia announced the cancellation of its Canada Day festivities – already a virtual event due to COVID-19 restrictions.

An alternative broadcast would be produced in collaboration with the local First Nations to "[explore] what it means to be Canadian, in light of recent events.

"[76][77] Journalist Terry Glavin of the National Post and American political scientist Wilfred Reilly, writing in British internet-based magazine Spiked, have stated skepticism about the claims, due to the lack of exhumations.