In 1943, Johnny Kiyawasew, an 11-year-old from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, passed away at a hospital in northern Alberta after being enrolled at St. Francis Xavier Residential School in Calais. Tragically, Johnny never returned home, leaving his family unaware of his fate for many years. His younger brother, Robert Kiyawasew, expressed dismay over the lack of communication from the church regarding Johnny’s passing.
After a prolonged search, Johnny’s gravesite was discovered in 2013 by his sister Roseann with the help of a private investigator. Records indicate that Johnny succumbed to pulmonary tuberculosis at a hospital in High Prairie, where he was laid to rest, a considerable distance from the residential school.
Efforts are now underway by Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the University of Alberta to delve into the untold stories of children like Johnny who attended residential schools but never returned home. Chief Sheldon Sunshine highlighted the grim reality that many children at St. Francis Xavier died from tuberculosis and malnutrition, emphasizing the personal tragedies behind the statistics.
Robert Kiyawasew, reflecting on his family’s journey to find Johnny’s grave, shared his poignant visits to the site. As a survivor of a day school himself, he recounted the cultural injustices faced by Indigenous children and stressed the importance of preserving their heritage.
Research challenges persist due to the disorganized and incomplete nature of residential school records, as noted by Raymond Frogner from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The difficulty in obtaining accurate information is compounded by discrepancies between church, provincial, and federal documents, impeding the closure and understanding sought by families like the Kiyawasews.
Despite these obstacles, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation remains committed to uncovering the stories of children who never returned from residential schools, acknowledging the ongoing impact of intergenerational trauma. The quest for truth and closure continues as communities strive to honor the memories of those lost in the dark legacy of the residential school system.