The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is applauding the province's commitment to providing $2.5 million to fund searches for children's remains at former residential schools.

Grand Chief Arlen Dumas calls the funding a good first step but says it will take commitment from all levels of government to complete the work in a respectful and culturally appropriate way.

Premier Brian Pallister says the discovery of what are believed to be the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in B.C. has been deeply felt in Manitoba, which had 17 residential schools.

Pallister adds the effort to find and honour the gravesites must be led by Indigenous people, especially those who survived residential schools.