Johnny Kiyawasew passed away at the age of 11 in a small hospital in northern Alberta in 1943, far from his family at Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. He was a student at St. Francis Xavier Residential School in Calais, Alta., and never returned home, leaving his family unaware of his fate for many years.
Robert Kiyawasew, Johnny’s younger brother, expressed his frustration at the lack of communication regarding Johnny’s death, stating that the church should have informed their father. After a prolonged search, Johnny’s gravesite was eventually discovered in 2013 by his sister Roseann with the assistance of a private investigator.
Johnny died of pulmonary tuberculosis in a hospital in High Prairie, where he was laid to rest, a considerable distance from the residential school. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the University of Alberta are now engaged in extensive research to shed light on the experiences of children like Johnny who attended residential schools but never returned home.
Sheldon Sunshine, chief of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, emphasized the human impact of the research findings, highlighting the high mortality rate among children at St. Francis Xavier due to tuberculosis and malnutrition. The emotional toll of uncovering these stories was described as heartbreaking by Sunshine.
Robert Kiyawasew shared his gratitude for finding Johnny’s grave, making regular visits to pay his respects. As a survivor of a day school himself, he recounted similar traumas faced by his siblings at St. Francis Xavier, emphasizing the importance of preserving their culture and heritage.
Raymond Frogner, from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, highlighted the challenges of obtaining accurate records from residential schools due to disorganization and inconsistencies. Sunshine noted the obstacles faced by researchers in accessing church documents, hindering efforts to fully understand the fate of these children.
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation remains committed to piecing together the stories of children who never returned from St. Francis Xavier, recognizing the importance of closure for affected families in addressing intergenerational trauma.
For emotional and crisis support related to Indian Residential Schools, a national 24-hour crisis line is available at 1-866-925-4419, with additional mental health counseling services accessible through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or online chat.