‘Gau-wi-wii-doo-kaaz-jik’ unveiled to remember
By Sharon Weatherall
BEAUSOLEIL FIRST NATION – On November 11 Beausoleil First Nation (BFN) community and guests gathered at Christian Island for the unveiling of a special Remembrance Day monument- ‘Gau-wi-wii-doo-kaaz-jik’.
Captured in bronze is a life size soldier kneeling on a cement monument in full uniform, full insignia holding a weapon from that era on one knee.
“The sculpture represents the last (BFN) person killed in action in the Korean War – Kenny Monague, he was only 23 years old when that happened,” said Bill Jamieson, a member of the Veteran’s Memorial Committee that has been working on the project for the past eight years.
Jamieson explained the memorial was constructed to recognize and honor the many young men and women of this community who served their country. On November 11, 2014 and every day thereafter, the memorial will remind the community of the sacrifices and achievements of these special BFN members who responded to their country’s need.
“This memorial acknowledges the contributions of BFN people who voluntarily served in Canada’s Armed Services in times of war and in peacekeeping operations; to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to create a quiet place in the community for reflection and remembrance,” said Jamieson who went overseas three times with Canada’s contribution to the United Nations.
The memorial includes a walkway and side walls where 60 some soldiers, sailors and airmen from WWI, WWII, Korean War and Peacetime Operations will be recognized with their names engraved on bronze plaques. On the cement platform holding the sculpture is part of the original cenotaph cairn built 40 years ago using stones from the island lighthouse area.
The Veteran’s Memorial has been supported financially by the BFN Veteran’s Memorial Golf Tournament which raised $60,000 towards the approximate $225,000. cost of the monument. The remainder of the project cost has been covered by the BFN Nookmis Trust Fund – a successful community land claim trust for which projects are decided upon and voted on by community members.
“The Veteran’s Golf Tournament will continue with fundraising efforts. The community has been very gracious to contribute and we want to repay that as time continues – at least that is the intent at this point,” said Jamieson.
“We also want to support school kids through the Veterans Golf Committee to provide bursaries in future and any financial issues they may require, in addition to paying back the Nookmis Fund. It’s been a long haul with lots of support. I didn’t think personally I would see the end of the project after
Eight years and only $60,000 of a fund but we are really appreciate that the community came forward and hurried things along. It will be a daily reminder to them that the First Nations people helped when the country called.”
Commissioned to create the sculpture of the bronze soldier was Marlene Hilton Moore – an artist with a history of creating bronze figures and who has work displayed in the Ottawa War Memorial area, Base Borden and most recently at the Simcoe County Museum.
Speaking at the unveiling Hilton Moore explained one of the challenges for her was in creating the likeness of the person using two photographs she was given – one in uniform serious faced and one in traditional head dress smiling.
“I tried to bring this person to life capturing Kenneth Monague for all the veterans and defining his character in those two portraits. I felt that I could find him – the person that’s locked into the sculpture,” said Hilton Moore.
“Another challenge more than anything was the complexity of the real uniform and making it seen as he was in a natural pose and not stiff.”
To add to the authenticity of the bronze figure, there was ongoing consultation with the Korean Veterans Association and Princes Patricia Canadian Light Infantry museum to verify the uniform and accoutrements worn by the Canadian infantry soldier during the Korean War.
Attending the unveiling were special guests from other First Nations, political dignitaries including local MPP Fred Larson and MP Bruce Stanton and Anishinabek Nation Deputy Chief Glenn Hare who spoke a few words.
During the service wreathes were laid including representation for The War of 1812, WWI, WWII, Korean War and modern day Peacekeeping Operations. The service at the cenotaph service was followed by a Remembrance Day Dinner and presentations at the Recreation Centre.