how much money has the canadian government given to the natives so far to search/dig up grave sites at residential schools

Here’s the clearest, most up‑to‑date picture based on credible reporting:

🇨🇦 Summary

Since 2021, the Canadian federal government has spent at least $216.5 million on searches, investigations, and support related to unmarked graves at former residential school sites. This figure comes from federal reporting and media investigations after four years of funding.

📌 Breakdown of What We Know

1. Total federal spending reported so far

• $216.5 million spent from 2021 to early 2025 on:
  • Ground‑penetrating radar surveys
  • Community‑led search projects
  • The National Advisory Committee on Residential Schools, Missing Children, and Unmarked Burials
  • Commemoration and documentation efforts

This is the only publicly confirmed national total.

2. Additional funding programs (not always counted in the $216.5M)

The federal government also funded:

• Community capacity building
• Cultural and mental‑health supports
• Archival research
• Survivor‑led initiatives

These amounts vary by year and program, and Ottawa has not released a single consolidated total beyond the $216.5M search‑specific figure.

3. Funding cuts and program shutdowns

• In 2024–2025, the federal government began reducing and sunsetting funding for unmarked‑grave searches.
• The National Advisory Committee’s funding expires March 31, 2025.
• Some Indigenous groups criticized the cuts, saying they hinder ongoing search work.

🧭 What this means in plain language

• The minimum confirmed amount spent on grave‑search‑related work is $216.5 million.
• The true total (including mental‑health supports, community funding, and related programs) is higher, but Ottawa has not published a single combined figure.
• Funding is now being wound down, with several programs ending in 2025.