SHEGUIANDAH FIRST NATION—Saturday, June 24 marked a sad anniversary in Sheguiandah First Nation. One year ago, Cheyenne Malcolm Roy succumbed to a gunshot wound and died in hospital. His two cousins, Monica (22) and Nathan (29) Shawanda, along with their parents, Jackie Bowerman and Darren Shawanda, in learning of the shooting, rushed to the scene to assist as best they could until the paramedics arrived.
A ceremony was held at the Sheguiandah First Nation Band Office to acknowledge and honour the loss of Cheyenne Malcolm Roy, and also to recognize and honour Nathan and Monica Shawanda for their courage and bravery at such a tragic time of loss. A prayer began the ceremony, spoken in Anishinaabe by Pearl Waindubence and repeated in English by Chief Elvis Mishibinijima.
MP Carol Hughes was in attendance and spoke a few words to those gathered for the memorial. “To be here, marking the one year anniversary of Cheyenne’s passing is quite monumental and I know that still reverberates throughout the community and through family and friends…But the fact that you are marking his life today, that is really important and I know his spirit is with us today.”
Ms. Hughes went on to address an ongoing problem. “It’s really unfortunate what’s been happening here, on Manitoulin Island and in many other First Nation communities, that we are seeing more people lose their lives. More must be done to fight back, to address this issue and to provide the resources necessary, and part of that is with the Indigenous police services funding. I have been working in close partnership with chiefs to address this. We haven’t been able to resolve it yet, but we do have the attention of the minister and I do hope we’ll be able to resolve it soon.”
She then presented Monica Shawanda with a letter of commendation. “I know that your brother is not here, but I do have a letter that I drafted up for both of you because I think that it is important. I want to take this opportunity to recognize the courageous action you took on June 24, 2022 when your cousin Cheyenne Malcolm Roy had been critically injured. You identified the situation and jumped into action to attempt to save his life. Your efforts did not go unnoticed, and you should be so proud of the initiative you took. Although Cheyenne succumbed to his injuries, the bravery you showed is significant. Not everybody would know what to do or what to try to do, and you did your best and everybody is really thankful for that. Miigwetch.” Understandably, there were tears throughout the room.
The letter she presented to Monica commended her for the actions she took on that night a year ago, in an effort to save her cousin’s life. Ms. Hughes also had a letter for Nathan, who was not in attendance, and presented it to Darren Shawanda.
Sheguiandah First Nation Chief Elvis Mishibinijima then added his words of thanks to Monica, “We’re here celebrating the life of Cheyenne Roy, it’s been a year and I’d like to give my heartfelt appreciation for what you did. We’re deeply grateful for you and your family and everyone involved. In the event of extreme situations, many people panic; few rise to the occasion, but you and Nathan did rise to it. You put your own safety in jeopardy to assist before even the first responders got there. Your efforts provided Cheyenne with a little bit more time and for family to be there with him. You should be proud of yourselves, and the community and myself are very proud of you. Words are not enough to thank you for your strength, courage and dedication. Miigwetch.”
Before the ceremony concluded with lunch, Pearl Waindubence, grandmother of Cheyenne, added her thoughts. “We all know what happened that evening; it was pretty terrifying, and we do need more police, that’s for sure, not only here but in the different communities. They do lack funding for that so, in the future, I do hope that the police get funding, they need it for sure, in First Nations all over.”
Monica’s mother, Jackie Bowerman, organizer of the memorial, when asked privately if she had any final words said, “We didn’t want to put our kids in danger, but I know it would have been worse for Cheyenne if we hadn’t been there. It’s unfortunate we couldn’t do anything more, but he’ll be in our hearts forever.”
