At the Se,Hool Ceme;Tejly When the Residential School Was Established, a Small Cemetery Area Had
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M-31 -At The Se,hool Ceme;teJLy When the Residential School was established, a small cemetery area had been set aside: P~. Sw4-28 W.P.M. Here were laid to rest the earthly remains of young people who had passed away while attending the Residential School; usually victims of Tuberculosis and other diseases. The cemetery had been well-marked and well-kept. However, following the closing of the School, this little plot of consecrated ground had become overgrown and neglected; The cleared site few realizing its existence. The committee thought it would be a good idea, as part of the reunion, to hold a "bee" and clean up the cemetery area. Then while researching Indian Affairs archival material for this history: (1) Mr. Miller discovered that, although the land around the cemetery site had been sold, the Province of Manitoba still retained the rights to site itself. Contact was made with the Manitoba Government requesting that this area might be cleared up and perhaps fenced. The request began to make its rounds. The Manitoba Department of Government Services undertook to have their represent ative, Dan Holbrow, supervise clearing the area of all wildly growing bushes, under brush and debris and establishing flower beds on the site perimeter. Then the Historic Resources Branch of the Department of Culture, Heritage and Recreation had their representatives Patrie ia M. Badertscher and K. David McLeod survey the area and locate all unmarked grave sites. Govern ment Services then proceeded to level the Same overturned and area and suitably mark each grave site-with neg~ected grave markers M-32 Preparing the eouipment and locatinR the unmarked grave sites. a cross. The Council of the R.M. of Wallace had their road crew grade the road from the village limits to the cemetery site. All of this was done in time for the reunion of former students and staff members which was held on July 20-22 1990. The reunion committee, filled with gratitude for these positive and caring actions py the Government of Manitoba and the R. M. of ~.J'allac e, undertook to permanently mark the site with the erection of a large metal cross on which a commemorative and memorial plaque is attached. The wording on the plaque reads: '' In this consecrated plot of ground lie buried the remains of several children who died while attending the Elkhorn Indian Residential Schools. 1888 - ~9-49 MAY THEY EVER REST IN_PEACE Cross raised by former staff and students during the reunion of July 20 - 22, 19-90. Plaque placed in memory of Percy Umpherville." Note: The cross was donated by the Tutthill family and the plaque presented by Daniel Umpherville in memory of his orother Percy. M-35 FofLe.veJt WUh Th_P_ Lo!td Following the Reunion luncheon,the people journeyed to the newly-restored and beautiful school cemetery,there to participate in the last official event of the Reunion.A memorial service for those who had passed away during their days at school. One person in that entourage,who spoke only Cree,had travelled all the way from Split Lake just to visit the grave site of her brother. It was indeed a most touching gesture of love and respect. How grateful the committee was that the Government of Manitoba had seen fit to restore and beautify this "Sanctuary of Remembrance",if only for this one incident alone. Bishop Conlin and the three clergy took their positions at the Cross, while the lay people formed a circle around the entire outer edge of the cemetery.The service then began with Canon Umpherville asking the Bishop to perform the rite of Consecration and Dedication. The rite completed, Daniel then addressed the gathering which was made up of both Reunion celebrants and friends from the village of Elkhorn and surrounding District . The speaker introduced the reading of the 23rd Psalm with the following words: " The Psalm that is most suitable at this time and for this service,and I am sure you have heard it many times at funerals and wakes,is the 23rd Psalm. I can remember many times over how people have been moved,how people have come to know Christ.I believe that this psalm was especially written for that purp ose. long before our time,long before New Testament times. It is such a beaut- M-35 FoJte.veJL Wilh Th.P_ LoJtd Following the Reunion luncheon,the people journeyed to the newly-restored and beautiful school cemetery,there to participate in the last official event of the Reunion.A memorial service for those who had passed away during their days at school. One person in that entourage,who spoke only Cree,had travelled all the way from Split Lake just to visit the grave site of her brother. It was indeed a most touching gesture of love and respect. How grateful the committee was that the Government of Manitoba had seen fit to restore and beautify this "Sanctuary of Remembrance",if only for this one incident alone. Bishop Conlin and the three clergy took their positions at the Cross, while the lay people formed a circle around the entire outer edge of the cemetery.The service then began with Canon Umpherville asking the Bishop to perform the rite of Consecration and Dedication. The rite completed, Daniel then addressed the gathering which was made up of both Reunion celebrants and friends from the village of Elkhorn and surrounding District . The speaker introduced the reading of the 23rd Psalm with the following words: " The Psalm that is most suitable at this time and for this service,and I am sure you have heard it many times at funerals and wakes,is the 23rd Psalm. I can remember many times over how people have been moved,how people have come to know Christ.I believe that this psalm was especially written for that purp ose. long before our time,long before Ne-v;r Testament times. It is such a beaut- These pictures depict the School Cemetery Site after- it was cleared of all debris and \vildly growing bush by Hr.Dan llolbrm.J and his crew. They are of the same grave locations: (l) The day that ~1rs Badertsche r and Hr.McLeod surveyed the site for unmarked graves and (2) The day of the School Reunion which followed a few days after the graves had been located and Mr.llalbrmv and cre\.J had marked eac h with a cross and the beautiful touch of planting flm-.~ers at each grave and around the perimeter of the cemetery. ·?' T 0) () M-36 i f ul and I would like to read it to you today. As I read it to you,let us remember those who are buried in this little cemetery,and those -who who have passed on since leaving our residential school. As Captain Miller said"Their spirits continue to live on". That part never dies. How often I have said to my people back in Saskatchewan," You know,when you get to that place where Christ is there is no more yesterdays,no more tomorrows.We will live forever and ever,the Bible says." And so we prepare ourselves for that place.God will call us some day. But walk with him everyday like I do. I am not trying to boast of myself,but let me be an example to you. We can live with him one day at a time. Yes ,my friends, there is comf_9rt, there is peace of mind in this beautifull 23rd Psalm. Dear friends· remember thes·e words .. from s-cripture, J:e5u·s said ~ "I am the Bread of Life,he that cometh to me shall never hunger,and he that believeth in ~e shall never thirst. All that the Father giveth me shall come to 111e; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.For I came down from heaven,not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which has sent me,that all that he has giv~n me,I shall lose nothing but raise him up at the last day.And this is the will of him that sent me,that everyone which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life,and I will raise him up at the last day." My dear friends,remember these words.Jesus said these words. That is what the Bishop meant when he said that we are a spiritual people. It is coming back to us. And since my heart attack I have been very ..• I don't know ..•. I believe that Someone is right beside me all the way.I can't stand before you like this without His help and he is using me to speak to you; and God is with our Bishop and my fellow clergy. Let us then listen to God's word. I have a few names here that were given to me.These boys and girls that have been buried in this place.If you know of any others,please speak up.They were all children in families in this life,and are now children in the Family of God.Their spirits live/ on: Sarah Spence, William Head, MOses Beardy. M-37 Phillip Redhead, Christine Redhead, Percy Umpherville, Lillian Brass, Emma Beardy, George Manningway, and many others. There are twenty three graves in all. If you know any of their names,please remember them in your prayers. Remember those also who have passed on since leaving the Residential School.