St. Labre Investigation Commission makes final report on unmarked graves

BILLINGS, Mont. – On July 23, 2024, the St. Labre Boarding School Investigation Commission presented its final report during a press conference in Billings, to which Native Sun News Today was specifically invited. The key issue discussed was the presence of any unmarked or undocumented graves at the schools run by the St. Labre Mission on the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Reservations.

The final report: at least 113 documented students’ deaths, inclusive of tribal students and non-Indian students occurred during the study period 1884-1960. During that time, the Crow and Northern Cheyenne suffered terrible losses due to disease and illness, causing 90 percent of the student deaths identified in the report. Research indicated ten recorded deaths were due to causes other than disease or illness, including accidents. However, there were no unmarked graves found on the premises of St. Labre school areas.

Prompted by stories from Canada about unmarked graves, the St. Labre board of Directors questioned whether such a thing could be possible at any of its three locations.

Thus, the board formed an independent commission to research the history of its schools to determine the possibility of any unmarked and/or undocumented graves at any of its schools. The Commission was chartered to operate independently of the Board of Directors.

St. Labre School at Ashland, Mont. (bordering the Northern Cheyenne Reservation) was established in 1884, an effort to care for the Northern Cheyenne people who had been displaced by white settlers. George Yoakum, a former solider and Catholic convert recognized the hard times experienced then by the Northern Cheyenne who were without homes or land. As a result, a three-room cabin was obtained to start the school and the search for Sisters began. The Ursulines responded and started the school. At the time, food was so scarce that many Northern Cheyenne parents had few options but to send their children to that school, for survival. The primary purposes of those type of schools were to “civilize and Christianize” Native children.

Presently, St. Labre has expanded, they now operate and support the Pretty Eagle Catholic Academy at St. Xavier, Crow and St. Charles Mission School, Pryor, also at Crow.

The independent commission was tasked to obtain a thorough, fact-based, and unbiased review of its history to determine whether any undocumented deaths and burials occurred at any of its current locations. The commission members included: Dr. Janine Pease, member of the Crow Tribe, founding member of the Little Big Horn College and its former President; Dr. Matthew Redinger Ph. D and current member of the St. Labre Board of Directors; Dr. Walter Fleming, Kickapoo  raised on the Northern Cheyenne reservation and who has served as a Professor at Montana State University-Bozeman for forty years; Dr. Richard Littlebear, Northern Cheyenne who recently retired as President of Chief Dull Knife College, a highly sought after consultant for indigenous language restoration efforts; and finally, Anda Pretty On Top, also a Crow, a retired educator who served the children of Northern Cheyenne and Crow for over thirty years. She is also on the St. Labre Board of Directors.

The Commission determined that a historical researcher was needed, retaining James Grant, member of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe, who conducted intensive archival research throughout the United States. He is one of nineteen employed by the Historical Research Associates, a Montana corporation located in Missoula. Established in 1974 they meet the Secretary of Interiors professional qualification standards.

The Commission acknowledged key support people including Most Reverand Jeffery Fleming, Bishop Diocese Great-Falls-Billings; Deborah Russell, Northern Cheyenne at St. Labre Board Chair; and Fr. Mark Joseph Costello, Provincial Minister and St. Labre Board member.

The Commission first began work in December 2022 and concluded in May 2024.

During that time, they held a series of twelve listening sessions to obtain tribal and community-based narratives and memories of boarding schools. “Many of those stories were heart wrenching,” said Dr. Littlebear. “That trauma still affects some people. Historical trauma can affect a person for a lifetime, but it can affect a Tribe forever.”

The presentation began prior to a luncheon, hosted by St. Labre. Several Tribal Council members attended, expressing their appreciation for the effort, and sharing familial memories about the St. Labre boarding school. “Thank you very much for doing this,” said Donovan Limberhand, Lame Deer district council member.

(Contact Clara Caufield at 2ndcheyennevoice@gmail.com)

The post St. Labre Investigation Commission makes final report on unmarked graves first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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