The Cemetery That Changed My Life

Summer is almost upon us! While I am excited for all that lies ahead as we celebrate National Indigenous People’s Month, I fondly remembered my recent trip to Manitoulin Island with the Remembering Project.

I journeyed to Manitoulin to present the Nisoonag Partnership with a finished version of the 1911 Wiikwemikoong Jesuit Diary, which had been transcribed and translated by many volunteers.

Of course, transcribing and translating the old handwritten text wasn’t easy, but wandering about in the cemetery by the church made the long hours even more worthwhile and meaningful.

And seeing the names engraved on rock was a gut-wrenching moment. People I knew only from between the pages suddenly came alive as I recognized their names on the various tombstones.

That tender moment was interwoven with feelings of shame and shock as I recalled that the children were often referred to as “savages” in the diary.

Our time in Manitoulin was short but busy. We attended the Manitoulin Island Residential School Survivor Gathering at the M’Chigeeng First Nation Community Complex. We had the pleasure of meeting the new head of the Nisoonag Partnership, Hilary Trudeau, and were proud of the work that had been put forth.

I left Manitoulin grateful not only for the opportunity to join in the gathering but also for all the work that had been done by all who had helped to prepare the final version. My heart felt very full. It was filled to overflowing with not only a deeper reverence for life, but also a greater desire to support Canada’s Indigenous peoples and strengthen Canada’s democracy in whatever way possible. 

• Kayona Karunakumar