Do You Know Who’s in the Beechwood Cemetery?
In 2014, the Beechwood Cemetery, Funeral and Cremation Services began its Indigenous Reconciliation Program with the goal to provide a Reconciling History Program. Part of this program is their Reconciliation Walk which highlights those who are buried there and how they were directly involved with #ResidentialSchools. I highly suggest you visit, as I was unaware of all they have to offer and on a short tour which gave such a commanding perspective to our history.
I can honestly say that my emotions leading up to the day were very strong. Here is how it unfolded, and what I learned that day. I got up about 6:00 am for my scheduled tour to start at 8:30 am. When I arrived, it was a beautiful cool and sunny morning. We were brought into a room outside The Sacred Space, that we were able to watch and listen to the ceremony opening the day. It was calm and beautiful as the voice of the elder was welcoming us and providing a blessing.
As I walked into the room, spiralled throughout like a labyrinth, were 57,000 hand painted tiles. Each one, not much larger than a Scrabble tile, hand painted and designed by children from across Canada. Although there were over 150,000 children in these schools, this project was to commemorate these children who spent time at a Residential School and to learn about how this is one of the darkest chapters in our history. The Project of Heart was born here in Ottawa at Elizabeth Wyn school by former history teacher, Sylvia Smith. There were words like HOPE, LOVE, PEACE. It was breathtaking to see the words that shared from so many children from across Canada which was originally on display in Winnipeg in 2015 for the Truth and Reconciliation Center. Today, they were on display in Ottawa for the very first time. I felt honoured to spend time around such a display of children’s art is to say the least.
We then went on a tour led by an excellent guide who works at the cemetery and also accompanied by a youth from A7G to help lead us through the morning. We made 5 stops along the way but I will highlight 3 very important ones.
In 1920, under Scott’s direction, the Indian Act was amended to make it mandatory for all native children to attend residential schools. He believed that this was the only was to assimilate these savage children into colonial society. Although he was a poet, his policy for the integration of Indigenous children into Residential Schools was characterized by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as cultural genocide.
Quotes from Duncan Campbell:
“It is observed with alarm that the holding of dances by the Indians on their reserves is on the increase, and that these practices tend to disorganize the efforts which the Department is putting forth to make them self-supporting,” Scott wrote. “I have, therefore, to direct you to use your utmost endeavours to dissuade the Indians from excessive indulgence in the practice of dancing. You should suppress any dances which cause waste of time, interfere with the occupations of the Indians, unsettle them for serious work, injure their health or encourage them in sloth and idleness.” He adds that agents should use tact to “obtain control and keep it” and prevent Indians from attending “fairs, exhibitions etc”. “It is realized that reasonable amusement and recreation should be enjoyed by Indians, but they should not be allowed to dissipate their energies and abandon themselves to demoralizing amusements.”
“I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone… Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department, that is the whole object of this Bill.”
A lawyer, journalist and politician, Flood is known for being one of the architects of the residential school system. He wrote the report ”Report on Industrial Schools for Indians and Half Breeds”
As you can see, he is one of the few busts that are in the cemetery. In his personal life, he was seen by some as a great poet and journalist, while his downfall of his political career, he died in 1901 by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
It was noted by our guide, that his bust seems to be shedding tears when it rains.
Dr. Bryce was our first secretary for the Provincial Board of Health for Ontario and was appointed the Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Immigration. He was hired to report on the health of children attending residential schools as it was reported that there were inadequate medical services and care for the children. He went to investigate and wrote the report:
“The Story of a National Crime: Being a Record of the Health Conditions of the Indians of Canada from 1904 to 1921”. His report told that Indigenous children were dying at 24 to 69% greater numbers that those not living at Residential Schools. His report was shared widely but never adopted and his recommendations were dismissed. Be noted that the Federal Government was made aware of the situation at these schools, and nothing was done to rectify the situation. Bryce was moved to a less prominent portfolio, and eventually forced into retirement. Bryce then took parts of his report and had them published personally in different publications.
Dr. Bryce’s grave site, he is surrounded by his family members. As you can see, there are many people who leave mementos at his grave, to the point where the staff added a small mailbox for the letters people have written to him.
My recommendation is to read more on the links shared here and to go to the cemetery. It was very informative, memorable and humbling to see all these men buried right here in Ottawa. Paying respects to the work done by Beechwood is also to be commended!
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