In 1943, Johnny Kiyawasew, an 11-year-old from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, passed away at a hospital in northern Alberta, far from his family. He was a student at St. Francis Xavier Residential School in Calais, Alta., where he never returned home, leaving his family unaware for years. Robert Kiyawasew, Johnny’s younger brother, expressed disappointment at the lack of communication regarding Johnny’s passing, criticizing the church for not informing their father.
After an extensive search, Johnny’s gravesite was discovered in 2013 by his sister Roseann with the help of a private investigator. Johnny died of pulmonary tuberculosis in a High Prairie hospital, where he was buried, 75 kilometers away from the residential school. Currently, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the University of Alberta are conducting research to unveil the stories of children like Johnny who attended residential schools but never made it back.
Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation revealed that research indicates many children at St. Francis Xavier succumbed to tuberculosis and malnutrition. He emphasized the human aspect behind the data, expressing sorrow for the hardships endured by the children due to poor living conditions at the school.
Robert Kiyawasew expressed gratitude for finding Johnny’s grave and now visits it whenever possible, reflecting on the solemn sight of the isolated grave. As a survivor of a day school himself, Robert recounted similar adversities faced by his siblings at St. Francis Xavier, where speaking their language led to punishment.
Raymond Frogner, from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, highlighted the challenges of obtaining residential school records due to disorganization and inconsistencies. He likened reconstructing the records to solving a puzzle with missing pieces. Despite difficulties in accessing church records, Sunshine emphasized the importance of continuing the research to piece together the stories of children who never returned home.
Sunshine stressed the significance of finding closure for families by uncovering the fate of these children, acknowledging the role of intergenerational trauma in these historical events. The First Nation remains committed to honoring the memories of those who attended St. Francis Xavier and never made it back home.