Sheguiandah First Nation erects monument to residential school children

Sheguindah First Nation unveiled a monument honouring more than 70 residential school children, with more names to be added.

On Friday afternoon, members of Sheguiandah First Nation and surrounding communities gathered on Manitoulin Island to honour the known children who attended residential schools between 1830 and 1996. More than 70 names were read aloud from the plaques’ engravings, but many feel there are still more unknown.

Monument represents ongoing recognition

Linda Debassige, the Grand Council Chief for the Anishinabek Nation, emphasized the broader significance of the ceremony.

“It’s really about honoring the community as a whole,” Debassige said. “And, you know, recognizing those who went to residential school from this community and to never forget them, to never forget what they had to go through to be removed from their families, their loved ones, their moms and dads and grandparents.”

Brian McGregor, the First Nation’s education director, explained to CTV News the timing behind the initiative.

“We figured it was, you know, at the time is right to honor these names, you know, and give them the respect that to deserve,” he said.

Research reveals names from multiple institutions

The list of names came from preliminary archival research of children who attended schools in Shingwak, Spanish, and the Jesuit-run school on Wiikwemkoong. McGregor said some names have changed over the years, so it is difficult to find everyone immediately. However, elders said as more names are revealed, they will be added to the monument.

Intergenerational pain

Donna Debassige, a residential school survivor, spoke of the profound losses endured. “You know, they took everything from us, our language especially, you know, and when you don’t have your language, you, you, you don’t, you know, that you’ve lost the biggest gift,” she said at the ceremony on July 3.

Jean McGregor Andrews, a Whitefish River Elder who also survived a residential school, connected the historical trauma to present-day challenges.

“Family members were impacted by all this. And you can see it now. Like I said, you can see it in the drugs, the alcohol, all this other stuff that goes on, which I attribute to being in residential school, maybe their parents or grandparents or somebody in their family,” he said.

Future plaques planned

Pearl (Niikmii) Waindubence, the Sheguiandah First Nation Gimss-kwe, indicated this monument represents only the beginning.

“This is only one of our monuments that we’re going to have. We’re going to do a couple more, yet we’re just starting,” Waindubence said, noting the next plaques will highlight the names of missing and murdered Indigenous women and Indigenous veterans.

The Grand Council Chief for the Anishinabek Nation spoke to the broader purpose of the memorial.

Organizers say this monument will show Anishinabek history that has caused generational pain still felt today.