A First Nation in Saskatchewan is scheduled to hold a virtual news conference later this morning about what it calls the “horrific and shocking discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves.”

Officials for the Cowessess First Nation say the number of remains at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School will be the most substantial to date found in Canada.

The First Nation and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations say the community and school site about 160 kilometres east of Regina are closed.

They are asking the media to be respectful of survivors, descendants and the communities affected by the discovery.

The news conference is scheduled for 11:00am.