In 1943, a tragic incident unfolded as 11-year-old Johnny Kiyawasew passed away in a remote hospital in northern Alberta, far from his family at Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. Johnny, who was compelled to attend the St. Francis Xavier Residential School in Calais, Alberta, never made it back home, leaving his loved ones in the dark for many years. Robert Kiyawasew, Johnny’s younger brother, expressed his frustration at the lack of communication from the church regarding Johnny’s passing, emphasizing the need for transparency and closure.
After a long quest for answers, Johnny’s final resting place was uncovered in 2013 by his sister Roseann, with the help of a private investigator. The discovery revealed that Johnny succumbed to pulmonary tuberculosis at a hospital in High Prairie, where he was laid to rest, a significant distance from the residential school. Presently, the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the University of Alberta have initiated an in-depth investigation to shed light on the stories of children like Johnny who attended residential schools but never returned home.
Sheldon Sunshine, the chief of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, highlighted the distressing findings of the research, indicating that numerous children at St. Francis Xavier fell victim to diseases like tuberculosis and malnutrition. He emphasized the human aspect behind the data, underscoring the tragic circumstances that led to the untimely deaths of these young individuals due to the deplorable conditions at the school.
Robert Kiyawasew expressed gratitude for his sister’s efforts in locating Johnny’s grave before her passing, mentioning that he now visits the site whenever possible, reflecting on the solemn sight of the isolated grave. As a survivor of a day school himself, Robert recounted the similar hardships faced by his siblings at St. Francis Xavier, including the suppression of their language and culture, emphasizing the importance of preserving their heritage and identity.
The challenges in obtaining accurate records from the residential school era were discussed by Raymond Frogner, who highlighted the disorganization and unreliability of existing records managed by various entities. Sunshine shared instances where church officials withheld documents unless there were direct family connections, posing a significant obstacle in retrieving crucial information about the students. Despite these hurdles, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation remains committed to piecing together the narratives of the lost children from St. Francis Xavier to honor their memory and provide closure to their families.
The ongoing efforts to uncover the truth behind the fate of these children signify a crucial step in addressing intergenerational trauma and seeking justice for the victims of the residential school system. As the community continues its quest for answers, the importance of acknowledging and preserving the stories of those who never returned home remains paramount in the journey towards healing and reconciliation.
