Johnny Kiyawasew passed away at the age of 11 in 1943 in a small town hospital in northern Alberta, far from his family in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. He was a student at the St. Francis Xavier Residential School in Calais, Alta., and his family was not informed of his death until years later. His brother, Robert Kiyawasew, expressed disappointment that their father was not notified by the church about Johnny’s passing.
After a long search, Johnny’s gravesite was discovered in 2013 by his sister Roseann, with the help of a private investigator. Johnny died of pulmonary tuberculosis at a hospital in High Prairie, where he is buried, a considerable distance from the residential school.
Efforts are now underway by Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and the University of Alberta to research and unveil the stories of children like Johnny who attended residential schools but never returned home. Chief Sheldon Sunshine highlighted the tragic history of many children at St. Francis Xavier, emphasizing that these were not just statistics but real individuals who suffered from tuberculosis and malnutrition.
Robert Kiyawasew, grateful that his sister located Johnny’s grave, now visits it regularly, reflecting on the solitude of the site. As a survivor of a day school himself, he shared his own experiences of cultural suppression, stressing the importance of preserving Native culture and heritage.
According to the Sturgeon Lake residential school narrative, at least five children died at the school in 1943 due to poor living conditions and inadequate heating. Raymond Frogner, from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, highlighted the challenges of obtaining accurate residential school records, noting discrepancies and lack of cooperation among different organizations responsible for managing the schools.
Despite difficulties in accessing records, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation remains committed to uncovering the stories of children who never returned home from St. Francis Xavier. Chief Sunshine emphasized the importance of finding closure for families and addressing intergenerational trauma through this ongoing research.
For emotional support and crisis referral services, a national 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available at 1-866-925-4419, and mental health counseling can be accessed through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or online chat services.