WHAT:
A bronze monument commemorating Charles Henry Byce, whose mother was Moose Cree, and father a WW I hero, will be unveiled. Born in Chapleau, Ontario, Byce went through the residential school system. Serving with the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor), he earned a Military Medal (MM) for valour in January 1945. A few weeks later, he made a gallant stand, against hopeless odds, saving more than a dozen men in his company. For this, he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). Only a handful of Canadians have ever received both a DCM and MM -remarkably, Charlie Byce’s father, Henry Byce, was one of them. The monument was created by Tyler Fauvelle, a professional sculptor based in Sudbury, Ontario.
WHO:
Cree Elder Ian White (Elder, and WW II Veteran, who was at Juno Beach on D-Day)
Chief Isadore Day – Ontario Regional Chief
Grand Chief Jonathon Solomon – Mushkegowuk Tribal Council
Grand Chief Alvin Fidder – Nishnawbe-Aski Nation
Chief Keith Corston – Chapleau Cree First Nation
MP Don Rusnak – Chair of Indigenous Liberal Caucus
MPP Michael Mantha
Pauline Cloutier – President, Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 5
Mayor Michael Levesque – Township of Chapleau
Roger Chum – President, Ontario Native Education Counselling Association
Tyler Fauvelle – sculptor
Members of the Byce family
Guard of Honour – Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, 2511 LSSR Army Cadets
WHEN:
Saturday, September 17, 2016, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
WHERE:
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 5, 33 Young Street, Chapleau, Ontario. Ceremony and unveiling outdoors, followed by refreshments inside the Legion.
Press coverage is welcome.
NOTE:
Eagle Staff Procession, Guard of Honour. Drummers: Little Anishinaabe Kwe. Piper.
