Johnny Kiyawasew passed away at the age of 11 in a small town hospital in northern Alberta in 1943, far from his family at Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. He was sent to St. Francis Xavier Residential School and never returned home, leaving his family in the dark about his fate for many years. Robert Kiyawasew, Johnny’s younger brother, expressed frustration that his parents were not informed of Johnny’s death by the church.
After a long search, Johnny’s gravesite was discovered in 2013 by his sister Roseann with the help of a private investigator. Johnny was buried in High Prairie, more than 75 kilometers away from the residential school where he died from pulmonary tuberculosis, according to provincial records.
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the University of Alberta are now collaborating on thorough research to unveil the stories of children like Johnny, many of whom attended residential schools but never returned home. Chief Sheldon Sunshine revealed that many children at St. Francis Xavier succumbed to tuberculosis and malnutrition, emphasizing that these are not just statistics but real people who suffered due to the poor conditions at the school.
Robert Kiyawasew expressed gratitude that his sister located Johnny’s grave before her passing and now visits it regularly. As a survivor of a day school himself, Robert shared that he faced similar hardships as his siblings who attended St. Francis Xavier, highlighting the importance of preserving their culture and heritage.
According to the Sturgeon Lake residential school narrative at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the school faced deteriorating conditions in 1943, resulting in the deaths of at least five children. Raymond Frogner, from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, emphasized the challenges of obtaining accurate residential school records due to inconsistencies and disorganization among various managing organizations.
Despite difficulties in accessing church records, Sunshine affirmed Sturgeon Lake’s commitment to uncovering the stories of children who never returned from St. Francis Xavier. He stressed the importance of finding closure for affected families and addressing intergenerational trauma. The First Nation’s ongoing efforts aim to shed light on the untold stories of these children.
If you or someone you know needs support, the national 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line offers emotional and crisis referral services at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health counseling and crisis support are also available 24/7 through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or online chat.
