Thread by @Tommy_Slick

Starting soon, Premier Jason Kenney and Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson will announce more details around the plan to search for unmarked graves at residential school sites in Alberta. Follow along here for details or watch live on our website. @660NEWS #ableg

We're now underway, with Wilson beginning the formal proceedings after a prayer from Chief Billy Morin.

Wilson says everyone was "deeply shaken" about the discovery of graves in Kamloops and in other places recently. He says truth must precede reconciliation, and that is why they are here today.

Premier Kenney providing more details on the announcement today, says the residential school system was "brutally unjust" and the discovery in Kamloops "has shaken our nation", compelling people to reflect on the "wickedness" of the system.

Kenney, speaking quite solemnly, says the horrendous actions in the schools are hard to comprehend. Says many students were buried in unmarked graves and they have the moral obligation to find them and recover their memories.

Kenney says this is important work, as highlighted by the TRC recommendations. Says Indigenous people will lead the work here, and they are creating an $8 million grant program in assisting First Nations to find the gravesites.

Kenney says Alberta had the highest amount of residential schools, and many sites have been lost but we know there has to be graves near them. Grants will go to First Nations and Metis communities that have proposals on how to identify the gravesites and how to honour them.

Kenney says they will also support engagement with elders, use of ground-penetrating radar, commemorative work, and reaching out to experts in the field as well.

Kenney says the Alberta Government is "leaving no stone unturned," as they also scour archival records for more evidence on residential school sites. Says they are eager to work with the federal government and First Nations.

Kenney says many children passed away from common diseases at the time, but it is also true that the number of deaths for disproportionate due to the terrible living conditions in the schools.

Wilson back up, applications for grants can be made online through the province's website. Any eligible community can apply for up to $150,000 for the work. Federal grants could also help cover nearly all costs.

Chief Morin speaking now, he says this is "a good day" and it gives him a lot of hope.

Morin says there are lingering open wounds, highlighted by the discovery at residential school sites recently. He says this announcement is a "great start".

Morin adds it's a good move that control of these operations is being handed back to First Nations, so they can decide how to best move forward.

Another Indigenous leader is speaking (sorry I did not catch his name), reiterating that this is a good move and thanks the government for being close partners in this initiative. "There is hope, there is a brighter tomorrow."

Next leader with the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement cast a bit of shade on the money, he said he thought the $8 million meant a million dollars for each Metis settlement.

Questions now. @CarrieTait asks what the province will do to support Indigenous people experiencing trauma right now.

Kenney says today's action is a "clear example" of responding to the implications of the Kamloops discovery.

Kenney says (as he has several times today) that the federal government has the primary responsibility with engaging with Indigenous groups, but the province helps a lot with other supports such as mental health. Brings up his government's funding for mental health and addictions

Kenney mentioning the spike in opioid overdoses, and how it is impacting young Indigenous men in particular.

Minister Wilson adds they have a panel around MMIWG, and that deals a lot with trauma experienced by people. Expecting a report from that panel in the fall.

Followup, how long do you think the grant program will last?

Wilson says applications can be made online today, want to move quickly on this. Deadline is next Jan. but funding will roll out beyond that date. Website here: alberta.ca/residential-sc…

Wilson says they will adapt to each community, says how one chief told him that they don't want to desecrate the land with radar.

.@sunrickbell asks permission for an off-topic question, it's about the Jul. 1 reopening and how Kenney feels about Calgary maintaining it's mask bylaw past that date.

Kenney says it is "unfortunate" that Calgary is making a decision for itself. Wants them to follow province.

@sunrickbell Kenney says it can cause "confusion" for different jurisdictions to have different rules.

Calgary was forced to impose its own mask bylaw (as directed by the province) in the first place, because Kenney refused to do one for all of Alberta.

Kenney says Calgary is well ahead of the rest of the province on vaccinations, says there's nothing to fear about variants.

He calls Jul. 1 "Freedom Day".

Kenney says the province is following expert advice of the CMOH, and not "angry voices on Twitter", he commands the city to follow that expert advice.

Followup, is it frustrating that people talk about "doomsday scenarios"?

Kenney says people can continue to wear masks if they choose to do so, he thinks it's counterproductive to beat the drum of fear (says some in the media are responsible for this too).

Kenney says some people are raising "hysterical" concerns about the Delta variant. Says some studies show how vaccines help big time against it. But those studies stress *second dose* coverage and we are at less than 30% coverage.

.@BillFortierCTV asks Chief Morin about the announcement, how does he feel about the money here and if it is enough.

Morin says it's too early to say if they need more, but this is a significant start.

Morin says how some communities don't want to use the radar, need to adapt to each community's needs so it's hard to tell if additional funding will be needed.

Chairman Delorme with Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement says the money can support a lot of operations in these searches, but there's never a hard cost because they're dealing with the unknown here.

Followup, this is about reopening and vaccination rates. First dose rate is really slow, are you concerned about it plateauing?

Kenney says he only listens to the expert advice of Dr. Hinshaw, who recommends 70% first dose coverage for eligible Albertans as a key metric.

Kenney believes we can hit about 40% second dose coverage by Jul. 1, and the most important this is the most vulnerable people are very widely vaccinated with two doses.

Kenney says there's a lot of "late comers" and there's still an access issue for some people, and they want to push out vaccinations in more rural areas as well. Kenney also says he "appreciates" the more ample supply of vaccines from the federal government.

Kenney thinks the lottery program contributed to a two or three per cent boost in vaccinations. But he won't force vaccinations, wants people to make their own choice.

Last question, from @Jantafrench about opioid overdoses and calls from Indigenous groups for immediate action, like SCS services and safe supply. Would you do any of this?

Kenney says he has spoken to leaders opposed to "free illegal drugs" (he means safe supply).

Kenney says the people he has spoken to are more in favour of treatment and "responsible" harm reduction services. Says he has not met Indigenous leaders who want to "recreate downtown Eastside Vancouver" which he calls a "catastrophe."

Followup, to the chiefs, on if they know of some areas that should be investigated soon for unmarked graves.

Chief Morin says they have a site for Enoch, and will be working closely with experts to figure out how to best move forward.

Chairman Delorme says they will touch base with families that have moved from other areas around northern Alberta so they can help identify school sites. There's a mission in Lac La Biche that is a good candidate as well.

Chief Young says they will be starting with a ceremony, and meeting with elders to direct how to move ahead.

That's all for today, folks. Thanks for following along and have a great day.