RCMP broadens B.C. abuse investigation

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The RCMP have identified as many as 90 suspects in their investiga-tion into physical and sexual abuse at Native residential schools in British Columbia. Of those identified, however, many are dead and others may be, before any charges can be laid.

Though suspects have been identified, there are still two years of evi-dence gathering to go before the RCMP will lay charges, said Const. Don Scott of the Port Alberni detachment. He is one of a 16-person task force set up to investigate the complaints.

The investigation stemmed from a study started in 1992 by the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council into residential school abuses. The council was inundated with calls from former residential school students requesting in-terviews, said Scott. The report found 130 people suffered some form of abuse at the three residential schools in the area.

Charges and the subsequent conviction of 77- year-old Arthur Plint led the RCMP to conclude an investigation must be carried out throughout the entire province. The result was the beginning of the Native Indian Resi-dential School Task Force.

Plint was jailed for 11 years in the sexual abuse case called by the judge the worst he'd seen in his 45 years on the bench. The charges in-volved 18 victims, aged six to 13.

The schools were administered by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and operated by the Roman Catholic, Anglican and United Churches.