Saugeen First Nations – Memorial Unveiling: Minjimendaamin – We Remember

In a moving ceremony under the Minjimendaamin tent, the Chippewas of Saugeen unveiled memorial plaques to honour the children of the past and survivors of the residential schools.

Community members and visitors crowded into the tent where the ceremony took place on Saturday, July 20th at the James Mason Centre.

There, the two artistic pieces created by artists Treasa Roote and Sheldon Roote, were revealed.

Opening the event was the Spirit Nation Drum, the traditional Pipe Ceremony, followed by a prayer by Elder Rita Root (survivor) and an opening song by the Waabano Kwe Singers.

              For larger view, Click on Image
                                              Wabaano Kwe Singers – For larger view, Click on Image

Chief Conrad Ritchie also addressed the audience acknowledging Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau’s attendance saying “… it helps bridge the gap between our nations”. He also acknowledged the children that were there and who were heard laughing and running about outside the tent.

“There was a time when we didn’t hear children in our community or in our homes.  There was silence and heartache. Today, we have to create safety for our children.  It’s how we think, how we talk and how we treat each other. It’s very important to be mindful of our words … are they kind, are they loving, are they words of encouragement … or are they words of negativity, lateral violence and of gossip that hurts?  It’s easy to do that … to use mean words, and sometimes we have to look at ourselves and how we say things.  There’s been a lot of intergenerational trauma within our families and family structures and today we have to look at how we carry ourselves and create safety in our homes.”

Chief Ritchie went on to say that treatment centres, sweat lodges, etc. can be created but “… what matters most is how we are loving our children, our sons and daughters, and how are we creating safety for them?  We have to show our vulnerability … and especially the men.  We have to show our vulnerability and that it’s ok to cry.  We have to harness that energy and release it, instead of keeping it in and making our families sick. It takes a lot of awareness and a lot of self-knowledge.”

Lori Kewaquom

When the idea of a monument originated, a Memorial Adhoc Committee was formed in the middle of December, 2023, following which a number of meetings were held.  Organizer, Lori Kewaquom explained that funding was received from Grey Roots Museum, the Ontario Cultural Fund from Indigenous Affairs, and that documents were also received from the University of Manitoba with the names of Saugeen families who attended the residential schools.

The Adhoc Committee consists of community members, Lori Kewaquom, Bryant John, Jacob Ritchie, Jordan Ritchie, Holly Fontaine, Giiwedan Fontaine, Naomi Fontaine, Liz Kewageshig, Shirley John, Evelyn Cameron, and Elder advisor Joan Cameron and Student Minister Janet Root.

The memorial pieces unveiled are phase one of five of the project and, according to Kewaquom, the Committee would like to see a permanent memorial park established in the future.

On the pieces, the  names of 172 children are etched in glass with artwork above where every detail has meaning. The exquisite art features the eagle, the faces of two children representing looking out the windows of the schools waiting for families to come for them, flowers representing the forget-me-nots at the graves of children recently discovered at the schools and the handprints of a boy and girl child, a teardrop representing the heartbreak and loss and sweetgrass representing the resilience, strength and healing of the people.  The frames are more than 100 years old from Sacred Heart Church at Scotch Settlement.

                     … artwork and names

 

Around the art pieces cedar branches were laid as a symbol of protection and, in front, were five orange ribbons representing children who had died in the residential schools and  representing all those children who passed on and the 10 survivors.

At the ceremony, several guest speakers included Jill Patterson of Grey Roots Museum Archives, Wendy Adams of Independent First Nations (IFN) Coordinator of Residential Schools, Chris Irvine of Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, G.C. Huston school Principal and Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau.  In addition, Kewaquom read responses from the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and Ally Boltman, who had worked on the Potter’s Field project of unmarked grave discoveries in Owen Sound, and that includes four indigenous graves.

G. C. Huston school Principal, Hugh Morrison, said that there has been a partnership with Saugeen First Nation for the last several years and that each has leaned on the other for support.

“We are able to listen and to act in friendship and the only way we can change the past is through relationships and friendship.”

A large part of the student body of G. C. Huston Public School is made up of children from Saugeen First Nation.

As the ceremony drew to a close before a Feast began, everyone had the opportunity to take part in a procession to view the artwork

(L) Carol and Orland Solomon and Elder Shirley John viewed the many names (one of which                  was Lewis Solomon, age 10, died in Sault Ste. Marie), before a ritual smudge

“We could not have accomplished this without the community’s support,” said Lori Kewaquom, “and the support of Chief and Council.  As of Friday, July 26th, the committee will cease to exist.”

The new Memorial artwork will find its home in the Governance Chamber of the new Administration Building.