Who We Are

The staff of the Survivors’ Secretariat is comprised primarily of Intergenerational Survivors of the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School. The organization was created in the Fall of 2021 to investigate missing and disappeared children associated with the 140+ year legacy of the institute and to search the 600+ acre property for unmarked burials. The Secretariat was set up by a group of Survivors with the assistance of Kimberly Murray, who was on secondment from the Department of Justice and Laura Arndt who was on secondment from Centennial College. Together, the staff work closely with one another across the departments to fulfil the Secretariat’s mandate and complete various projects.

The Outreach Team is responsible for connecting with Survivors of the Mohawk Institute from the 60+ communities whose children were sent to the Institute. The team visits impacted communities to connect with Survivors and community champions, hosts Fireside Chats with Survivors, and hosts and attends various gatherings and events aimed at bringing together Survivors to share amongst each other in a brave space. The Outreach Team focuses on commemorating the legacy of those who never returned home and honouring the experiences of those who survived.

Our Wellness Team, grounded in a trauma-informed approach, offers ongoing, comprehensive support to Survivors and staff. In close partnership with Cultural Advisors, they ensure that the diverse cultural practices of each group who attended the Mohawk Institute are honoured and respected.

Using a holistic, multi-faceted wellness model, the team provides support that integrates Western-based methods with culturally rooted spiritual practices tailored to the needs of each Survivor. This collaborative approach includes Survivors, their families, and staff, fostering a supportive environment where care extends from the individual to the collective.

Our Database Development Team manages the creation of a secure, searchable database designed to store and organize all information gathered through document research. This team is responsible for the careful coordination and maintenance of archival materials, ensuring that resources are handled with care on behalf of the Secretariat. They work in close collaboration with archival researchers (Know History), the database development company (Animikii), and national and international archival bodies as required.

Inquiries about family members who attended Mohawk Institute can be directed to the data librarian through

Our Ground Search Team collects, stores, and conducts preliminary analysis on ground-imaging data collected on land associated with the former Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School. Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), LiDAR, and GIS software, the team searches these grounds meticulously to locate and document significant findings for further analysis. 

From site preparation to equipment management, the team oversees all aspects of the search while collaborating with archaeologists, geophysics experts, and specialists to interpret findings and advance search efforts. 

Our Administration team ensures that the Survivors’ Secretariat’s board, staff, experts and contracted services are well informed and well supported to meet their goals. They play a crucial role in maintaining smooth day-to-day operations and enabling the team to stay focused on their mission.

Responsibilities include taking detailed minutes at team meetings, managing travel and accommodation arrangements for both staff and Survivors, and coordinating office maintenance to create a functional and welcoming environment.