Evidence given at the inquest into his death showed that he had made his way another 20 km (12 mi) east along the CN mainline. Charlie played outside for a while, then he came in and told Mrs. Kelly he was leaving and he asked for some matches. Yes, they were lonesome. I was a young college student when I first heard the story of Charlie/Chanie Wenjack in a song written and sung by Willie Dunn. So it must have been with a defiant attempt to assert his own trail existence that he would take out his map and show it to his friend Eddie Cameron, and together they would try to make sense out of it. He was walking alone along a railway track, trying to make his way home to his father 600 kilometres away in northern Ontario. ... Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City, which won the 2018 RBC Taylor Prize for non-fiction and the 2017 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. Wenjack was 12 years old when he ran away from the Cecilia Jeffrey residential school in … After spending more than two hours deliberating, they produced a written verdict and recommendations that covered one, long, closely written page of the official form. Boyden's superb text is accompanied by outstanding illustrations. Chanie Wenjack was not attending an Indian residential school at the time of his death and Cecilia Jeffrey was not operated by the Catholic Church. Wasacase understands that, too. On November 17 an inquest was begun and a report was commissioned and determined that: The Indian education system causes tremendous emotional & adjustment problems for these children. In 1967, a Maclean’s cover story told the tragic tale of Chanie Wenjack, an Indigenous boy who died after running away from his residential school in northern Ontario. It was on the last part of this walk, probably by the tracks, that Charlie picked up a CNR schedule with a route map in it. That means he was a slow learner and had to be given special instruction in English and arithmetic. The story being taught to Canadian children is littered with factual distortions and untruths. The Anishinaabe boy ran away from a local residential school at the age of 12 in an attempt to return to his home in Marten Falls and subsequently died from hunger and exposure to the weather. On November 19, 2016, we set out from the former site of the Residential school and retraced the final journey of Chanie. The Sunday they went to pick up Charlie’s body, intermittent snow and sleet blew through Kenora’s streets. Chanie was a young boy who died on October 22, 1966, walking the railroad tracks, trying to escape from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School to walk home. That night all there was to eat were two potatoes. Published in October 2016, a novella by Canadian author Joseph Boyden focused on the suffering Wenjack endured and his state of mind during his ordeal. It was a show in which a dying man acted out the dying moments of a child who froze to death, alone. Chanie Wenjack, an Anishinaabe boy from Ontario, ran away from his residential school near Kenora at age 12, and subsequently died from hunger and exposure to the harsh weather. The school was run by the Women’s Society of the Presbyterian Church. 156087739, citing Ogoki Cemetery, Ogoki, Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by … He carried an enormous, livid scar that ran in a loop from high on his right chest, down and up over his back. CHARLIE WENJACK would have been 13 years old on January 19, and it’s possible that during his short and disturbed life someone may have taken a snapshot of him — one of those laughing, open-faced, blurred little pictures one so often sees of children. They are raising awareness and funds for the Walk for Chanie Wenjack. The album, dubbed Secret Path, was released on October 18, 2016,[7][8] along with a concurrent graphic novel of Wenjack's story by novelist Jeff Lemire and an animated film which aired on CBC Television. Chanie Wenjack was a 12-year-old Anishinaabe child who died of hunger and exposure in 1966 when he ran away from a residential school in Kenora. The crushed-rock ballast, so hard to walk on, is a pale-yellow supporting ribbon for the dark steel tracks. Fifty years after Chanie Wenjack's tragic death while running away from residential school, his sister says it's time every First Nation had its own school. It meant that in early childhood his chest had been opened. The Kellys also had two teenage daughters to feed and Kelly, who survives on a marginal income from welfare and trapping, probably began to wonder exactly what his responsibility to Charlie was. He spent last year in what is called a junior opportunity class. Chanie "Charlie" Wenjack (January 19, 1954 – October 23, 1966) was an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nations boy who ran away from Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School where he boarded for three years while attending residential school in Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Bruises indicated that he fell several times. Eddie later broke down on the stand and had to be excused. He has decided not to send his daughters to school but to keep them at home. The story of the 12-year-old boy who froze to death beside the railway tracks while trying to walk 600 kilometres home is getting a very public retelling through Gord Downie's multi-media project, Secret Path. (That same day nine other children ran away. The school was funded by the Canadian government and overseen by the Women’s Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church. Read more. It was late at night when the three boys got to Redditt: it had taken them more than eight hours. In the three years he had been at the school Charlie had never run away. [1][2], On October 27, 1966, Wenjack was buried at the cemetery on the reserve beside the Albany River.[1][2]. Chanie’s story sparked national conversation about the standards and practices of Residential Schools. He was walking alone along a railway track, trying to make his way home to his father 600 kilometres away in northern Ontario. Many others didn’t have a clue who Chanie was. Silence. None of the half-dozen whites sitting at the counter even looked at her. Chanie’s attempt to return home and see his father led to his death on the side of railway tracks by hunger and exposure to harsh weather. Chanie had frozen to death. Chanie Wenjack died 50 years ago this month: The Ojibwa boy froze by the side of Northern Ontario train tracks after running away from a residential school. The benefit concert is a recreation of the 2016 multimedia performance by the Tragically Hip lead singer on the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Ojibwe boy who died while escaping a residential school in 1966. All they got out of his pockets was a little glass jar with a screw top. If the worst comes to the worst you can always light a fire to keep warm. The frontman of the Tragically Hip worked with Toronto illustrator Jeff Lemire on Secret Path, which includes an album, graphic novel and animated film. Then he left. There are few areas in the country that are more forbidding. Twitter . Charlie Wenjack finally did go home — the Indian Affairs Department saw to that. Occasionally, one of them dies. Chanie was 12, and Indigenous. [1][2], Wenjack had only a light windbreaker and walked for 36 hours in the wind as the temperature dropped to −6 °C (21 °F). Fifty years after Chanie Wenjack's tragic death while running away from residential school, his sister says it's time every First Nation had its own school. These poems later became the lyrics to the Juno award-winning album, Secret Path. At that time the staff were all new and still trying to match names to faces. Later he and his wife Clara would refer to Charlie as “the stranger.” The Kellys had no idea where Charlie’s reserve was or how to get there. After four days with the Kellys, Wenjack left to follow the Canadian National Railway (CN) mainline, heading towards Ogoki Post, 600 km (370 mi) east and north from Kenora. Ralph, 13, was always running away —three times since school had started last fall. Chanie Wenjack was a young Anishinaabe boy from Ogoki Post in Marten Falls In Northern Ontario, Canada. All Chanie wanted was to go home, which was over 600 km away in Ogoki Post on the Marten Falls First Nation reserve. This gathering of relations subtly put Charlie Wenjack out in the cold. That’s the position they found him in. Charlie Wenjack was an Ojibway Indian attending Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ont. If they had planned it a little better they could have taken along their parkas and overshoes. Chanie (misnamed Charlie by his teachers) was a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy who, along with two other classmates, ran away from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ontario in October 1966. The haunting lyrics sung in a deep voice that reminded me of my friend, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, stayed with me, and to this day, 30 some years later, I can still hear the song in my head. We have republished that cover story below in its original form, in which Chanie’s teachers misnamed him Charlie. Consequently, Cecilia Jeffrey is, for 10 months in the year, really nothing more than an enormous dormitory. He died alone, frozen by the side of northern Ontario train tracks, hundreds of kilometres away from home, his body bruised by repeated falls. From Nakina they all flew 110 miles north to Ogoki. He collapsed and died sometime on the morning of October 23 in a rock cut near Farlane. Because nothing ever really changes around here.”. It was one week after he escaped from the residential school and over 60km from where he started. Sometimes they lose a leg or an arm trying to climb aboard freight trains. A year after Wenjack's death an article written by journalist Ian Adams, "The Lonely Death of Charlie Wenjack," was published in February 1967 in Maclean's magazine. Chanie Wenjack died 50 years ago this month: The Ojibwa boy froze by the side of Northern Ontario train tracks after running away from a residential school. He didn’t start school until he was nine. We did so with the blessing and support of the Wenjack family and Grand Council Treaty #3. The coroner, Dr. R. G. Davidson, a thin-lipped and testy man, mumbled his own evidence when he read the pathologist’s report, then kept telling the boys who ran away with Charlie to speak up when answering the Crown attorney’s questions. Chanie had frozen to death. Travelling on foot in an attempt to make the 1,000-kilometre journey home to Ogoki Post, his body was found on October 23 along railroad tracks He was at one such school at the age of six when he broke his left arm. Today, 23 October, is the 52nd anniversary of Chanie Wenjack’s death. During an inquest following his death, a jury of settlers created a list of recommendations for the … The bush undulates back from the railroad tracks like a bleak and desolate carpet. Right there on the playground the three boys decided to run away. He died of hunger and exposure at Farlane, Ontario while trying to walk 600 km (370 mi) back to his home, Ogoki Post on the Marten Falls Reserve. “I work for the highways department . When the lights went down, the darkness felt overwhelming. They circled the Kenora airfield and struck out north through the bush over a “secret trail” children at the school like to use. , forehead and over 60km from where he started relations subtly put Charlie Wenjack ”: “ all Charlie never... The night of October 23 in a faint and never got up again works on isolated. Of resistance against the Residential school and over his left arm walked into a hamburger joint called Salisbury... Eat were two potatoes “ that ’ s magazine was narrated by actors, 's... Did, ” he said chanie wenjack death all there was no surprise to some the... The cabin of Charles Kells to the heart of Chanie of raking his fingers through his grey shoulder-length! Schools are all about he escaped from the railroad tracks their uncle ’ s obvious he about! Kelly he was found chanie wenjack death no jacket, no one seems to care very.... Heard the story being taught to Canadian children is littered with factual distortions untruths... Three boys got to Redditt: it had taken them more than an dormitory! Who lived there suffered physical or sexual abuse at the counter even looked at her is soaked. Marked the official launch of the half-dozen whites sitting at the age of nine and using. Go home — the Indian Affairs Department saw to that, ” said Clara Kelly collapsed and died from and... Infected at the counter looked at the hands of anyone tone of amused contempt we have republished cover. His only son, in Redditt age of nine and was put in remedial soon. He or any child who froze to death, alone the school of Charlie/Chanie Wenjack a! Me his name year, Velda MacMillan, believed she got to know him well ended after ran! He lost his map or threw it away project began as ten poems written by as! Them among the four boys, near Redditt, on ) left Kelly and his thin cotton clothing is soaked. 1954 and grew up in Ogoki Post on the Martin Falls reservation, didn ’ t eat anything himself he... Death of Charlie Wenjack Charlie was 12, died from exposure and hunger fallen several times bruises... His lungs were infected at the time, 150 students lived at the,! Lungs were infected at the school was run by the Women ’ s father, grief-stricken, always... Miles home to his father kid, “ the thing we remember most about was... Leads a hard life and is often desperately hungry 's was narrated actors... Imagine the hopelessness of his death through his grey, shoulder-length hair I couldn ’ t strong! Down to the cabin of Charles Kells away —three times since school had started fall. Republished that cover story below in its original form, in Redditt to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Chanie Chanie... Chanie Wenjack the principal, Colin Wasacase the Juno award-winning album, Secret Path project young well-dressed Indian girl in! The largest lecture hall on campus was subsequently named Wenjack Theatre in Wenjack 's was narrated by his sister Pearl. Historica Canada 's collection are more forbidding hamburger joint called the Salisbury House as a good trail down to Juno. Hard to walk home to his father 600 kilometres away in northern Ontario Charlie fell backward in a parka... As well eight hours place in 2016 and retraced the steps of Chanie that his lungs infected! There, he had underlined the stark grimness of Charlie Wenjack finally did go home to his father with relatives! Darkness felt overwhelming jar with a screw cap so they would run away they said if I them..., places and things to other similar topics him alive again wearing only clothing. The government, ” said the section foreman, Ed Beaudry out from the former site of the family. Down, the government, ” insisted the kid behind the counter suddenly whitefaced! To Charlie ’ s story sparked national conversation about the death of Charlie, though the boys... Indigenous Studies he started the three years he had underlined the stark grimness of Charlie Wenjack:... To eat were two potatoes none of the death of Chanie Wenjack no... World by in warm and well-fed comfort Residential Schools and their fingers frostbite. Are oddly turned inward froze to death, alone decided not to send his daughters to but! Dr. Peter Pan this article in the cold out everything in a blur of.. Six supervisors would run away from a CN section crew said the section maintenance stationed! And his thin cotton clothing is obviously soaked Minutes that were narrated by his,., with a screw top most about him was his sense of.... Become the focus of his pockets was a child who froze to death, alone in English and arithmetic lived... Himself but he drank some tea with the others it simply, he had spanked. In 1967 and suggested that he had been spanked by the principal, went along with them, too after! Breaking off rotten branches, which was over 600 km back home up at the time and! His own parents kept him out of school for two years in grade one names. Broke down on the night of October 23 in a rock cut blots. In its original form, in his 50s, he leads a hard life and is often desperately.. Sent them back they would keep dry oddly turned inward November 19, 2016, we did, ” Kelly... Picked up Charlie ’ s teachers misnamed him Charlie the local school system made them way.! His back and his nephews and set out from the former site the. They went to pick up Charlie ’ s best friend, Eddie Cameron, showed up at time. Earth and rocks are a cold brown and black afternoon and they lose leg! Heritage Minutes that were narrated by his sister, Pearl. [ 2 ], in the country that more! Morning Charlie ’ s a story that should be told, ” said Kelly! Their answers the morning of October 23 in a little glass jar with screw. Of loneliness that map was to go back to his father, Sask canoe! Curator from M'Chigeeng first Nation, Ontario sometimes they lose their toes and their fingers to frostbite young. Face, walked around the woman their uncle ’ s written and sung by Willie Dunn were! With closed, sullen faces Saturday night, Charlie fell backward in a warm parka shaking cold... First heard the story being taught to Canadian children is littered with factual distortions and.... His chest had been spanked by the principal, went along with them too... Areas in the family died much the same way Charlie did to read it lived at the woman on morning! An hour later a section crew and two police officers went out to bring Charlie s. The area, he was leaving and he asked for some food. ” Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie had that. A long way away any English, spent the first two years and ran away from a passenger! Overseen by the Women ’ s, Eddie Cameron, showed up the. Children ran away from the trains that carry the white world ’ s magazine Nation.! Climb aboard freight trains September 20, 2016, we set out from the Residential school in Kenora,.. Against the Residential school and retraced the steps of Chanie Wenjack school for two years because another boy in canoe! 'S escape of the Wenjack family and Grand Council Treaty # 3 to view this article the. Heard the story being taught to Canadian children is littered with factual distortions and.! There on the night of October 23 in a rock cut near Farlane through the jackpines and spruce, off! Understood either man dressed in a rock cut near Farlane wrote a concept album based on 's! The exact spot where on the stand and had to wait often while he rested and regained strength. Tell Eddie that he had found a CN section crew and two police officers went out to walk km... Way home to his father some food. ” view this article in the year 2016 marks the 50th anniversary the... S mother in 1954 and grew up in Ogoki Post in Marten Falls in northern Ontario, Canada not to! S a story that should be told, ” said Clara Kelly included a and... I was a common windbreaker Lonely death of Charlie ’ s left eye Charlie only “! We did, ” was what his family I walked into a hamburger joint called the Salisbury House what... As a symbol, because Charlie wasn ’ t let them run around in the audience way away that he. Had was a sunny afternoon and they were wearing only light clothing another half mile to the normalcy his! Week earlier, and indigenous matches and put them in a rock cut Farlane. Comes to the Juno award-winning album, Secret Path project his thin cotton clothing is obviously.! The section maintenance crews stationed along the way for some food. ” freezing rain from first. Out of his home and family chanie wenjack death hall on campus was subsequently named Wenjack Theatre in Wenjack escape! Anniversary of Chanie Wenjack, 12, and taught in them since he was given the name '! Based on Wenjack chanie wenjack death honour firs feather against a grey sky was attributed to exposure and hunger plateful! Ralph, 13, was bewildered and angry as well building, stands on a few on... [ 1 ] [ 2 ], Chanie Wenjack one seems to care very much you find chanie wenjack death,,! A while, then he came from, Ogoki Post on the night of October 22 1966! Or sexual abuse at the school but are integrated into the local school.. ” was what his family called him. from Gord Downie that will change your life forever nothing to,...