Sault workshop helps people learn how to research their ancestry

This weekend at the Sault Public Library, an expert will lead a workshop that helps people learn how to research their ancestry.

Noreen Kruzich is bringing decades of knowledge to the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library this weekend, for a workshop called ‘Navigating Indigenous Ancestry.’

A journalist-turned-author, Kruzich has focused on doing research for Indigenous documentaries, museums and family genealogy.

“I work with people who are adopted out, people who lost a parent early in life,” she said.

“People who don’t know their heritage because of shame in the past. People who are First Nations, lived on a reserve, don’t know their heritage.”

Kruzich said that “people feel more whole when they find out what their heritage is.”

She said the proudest moment of her career was in bringing two sisters together, both in their 70s, who did not know either of them existed.

“One who lived in Thunder Bay. The other one was in Edmonton,” Kruzich said.

Kaitlyn Watson, the library’s acting manager of public services, said after learning that Kruzich was looking to rent a room for her workshop, she decided the library should partner with her to offer the space for free, and include marketing for the event.

Overwhelming response

“Over the last few years, we’ve really seen an increase in the community wanting to learn more about their heritage and especially their Indigenous heritage,” Watson said.

“And we’re just so thrilled with the overwhelming response, and we’re so grateful that we have Noreen.”

The library has an extensive collection of local records, and having more locals versed in finding the information they’re looking for will only lead to positive outcomes.

“We want to improve access to historical collections and information, and we want to develop, you know, programs and services that highlight our local history and heritage,” she said.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a group of 20 locals will be taught the proper how to track their lineage and to track their lineage and learn which public records can be the most helpful, Kruzich said.

“In census reports and in primary records of births, baptisms, particular things to look for in primary records for Indigenous ancestry,” she said.

“And then we’re going to go into the online archives for residential school records, fur trade records, treaty annuity paylists and Metis script.”

The increased popularity of tracking down one’s ancestors is notably more difficult for Indigenous people, Kruzich said.

“Platforms out there, such as FamilySearch and Ancestry(.com), are … focusing on immigrant ancestry versus Indigenous ancestry,” she said.

“And so there’s more and more people wanting to understand who they are. And these platforms are not there to really help out.”

While she has found Indigenous ancestry, she doesn’t refer to herself as an Indigenous person.

She said her work can help address the “trend of the ‘Pretend Indian’ to actually address people’s heritage.”

“I think there is a lot of honest ignorance about what being Indigenous is,” Kruzich said.

“You can’t be Indigenous if you have an ancestor way back in your ancestral line. That’s just not Indigenous. You know, it’s a lived experience, too.”

Watson said the library is very interested in holding another version of this event later this year.