We have had the great honor on two multiday efforts in 2023 (with another planned search in the Spring of 2024) to work alongside members of the Yakama Nation in the search for unmarked graves on the site of the first US reservation boarding school just outside White Swan, Wa.

Both Keb and Kili have had an opportunity to support this effort with Suzanne as the K9 Project Lead and Guy Mansfield as the Chief Planner for the K9 portion of the project. Other volunteers that have participated in this effort include , June Mansfield/Operations Manager and Field Support, Dan/Merrifield K9 Belle, Kristine Lesperance/Field support, Cindy Arnold/K9 Riley and Lynne Angeloro/Field Support with the Canine Forensics Foundation, and Scott Welton/Field Support. The overall project is led by Jon Shellenberger (former Yakama Nation Tribal Archeologist).

Check out this NPR radio segment and article to find out more.

Click on the hyperlinks in the article to get information on the history of Native American Boarding Schools in the United States.

We are full of gratitude to be able to support this effort.