Newly added gravestones share history of Indigenous people in New Westminster, B.C.
For decades, their final resting places lay unmarked in a New Westminster cemetery. Now members of the Qayqayt First Nation are being honoured in a way one of their descendants has long awaited.
Among the monuments at St. Peter’s Catholic cemetery on Saturday, fresh flowers marked new gravestones belonging to members of Chief Rhonda Larrabee’s family.
Larrabee told CTV she learned many years ago some of her relatives were buried at the site: her grandfather George Joseph, as well as her great grandfather, great grandmother, and a great uncle.
“My grandfather fished for the Annieville cannery and his fishing partner…told me stories about my grandfather, about my grandmother. He said ‘I’ve had dinner with them, and it was a happy household. Your grandmother was cheeky and funny, and your grandfather was a hard worker and provided well for the family’,” she said. “In the 1920’s and the 1930’s, if you lived on reserve, where would you get the funds to put a headstone?”
Larrabee always hoped to one day see a permanent and visible memorial, which would share her relatives names and story with the community.
She said in 1916, when a royal commission took away their reserve land, her grandfather stayed.
“Because it was an urban setting, because the community was growing, because it was a port city, they cut off the reserves and they were never surrendered by the people who lived there,” Larrabee said. “The land was taken away. The Indian agent did not bring supplies to the people anymore, so they had to leave. A lot of them married into other bands, they were adopted by other bands.”
On Oct. 20, new grave markers were unveiled on the cemetery grounds, including a stone which shares information about her family’s history in the area.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind that one day, we would put markers for our ancestors. So it was really such a blessing that the rotary club offered to do it for us, and so we accepted graciously,” she said. “We’re eternally grateful and very proud to have Qayqayt First Nation ancestors recognized, finally.”
It’s recognition of a history Larrabee has been working for years to preserve, and also part of a journey to also learn more about her own roots.
“There were over 400 Indigenous people living on the river banks, and this whole area would have become extinct of Indigenous habitation. No one would know,” she said. “For a long time, I was the only one on the band list. My brothers are now on it, our families are now on it. We are less than 100 people in our community, but we are all very involved in the city right now."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
'It's pure joy!': B.C. pilot takes 96-year-old grandma on meaningful flight
“Good to see you,” Ryan Godard says before giving his 96-year-old grandma a big hug and walking her towards the small airplane. “Let’s get you prepped.”
Robbers made off with 'several million euros' of jewels in armed heist at Harry Winston store in Paris
Armed robbers who used a motorbike as a battering ram made off with 'several million euros' worth of valuables in a heist of the luxury Paris boutique of self-declared 'Jeweler to the Stars' Harry Winston, the French prosecutor’s office overseeing the police probe said.
Residents evacuated after threats made to residence in Fall River, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP are warning the public to avoid the area around Canterbury Lane in Fall River after a threat was made at a residence.
Five things to know about the NHL playoffs
Today is an off day for the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers as they prepare for Monday's winner-take-all Game 7 showdown at Rogers Arena.