Johnny Kiyawasew, an 11-year-old member of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, passed away in 1943 at a hospital in northern Alberta, far from his family. He was sent to the St. Francis Xavier Residential School in Calais, Alta., and tragically never returned home, leaving his family unaware of his fate for many years.
Robert Kiyawasew, Johnny’s younger brother, expressed his dismay at the lack of communication regarding Johnny’s passing. After relentless efforts, Johnny’s gravesite was discovered in 2013 with the help of a private investigator. The provincial records revealed 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.
Presently, the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the University of Alberta are engaged in extensive research to unearth the stories of children like Johnny who attended residential schools but never made it back home. Chief Sheldon Sunshine of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation emphasized that research indicates many children at St. Francis Xavier died due to tuberculosis and malnutrition, highlighting the heartbreaking experiences endured by Indigenous children in these institutions.
Robert Kiyawasew, grateful that his sister located Johnny’s grave before her passing, now visits the lonely gravesite regularly. As a survivor of a day school himself, he shared his own struggles and emphasized the importance of preserving Native culture and heritage.
The Sturgeon Lake residential school narrative at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation disclosed that at least five children died at the school in 1943, citing poor living conditions and inadequate heating as contributing factors. Raymond Frogner, from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, highlighted the challenges of obtaining accurate residential school records due to disorganization and inconsistencies.
Despite the hurdles in accessing records, the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation remains committed to uncovering the truth and bringing closure to families affected by the legacy of residential schools. Chief Sunshine emphasized the importance of acknowledging intergenerational trauma and continuing efforts to piece together the stories of children who never returned from these institutions.
