Hon. Michèle Audette: Honourable senators, I thank the Anishinaabe people for welcoming me again today.
Today, I would like to talk to you about an Atikamekw boy named Maxime who was only six months old when he was taken alone to a hospital far from his community of Manawan in 1954. He died a few weeks later.
His parents, who do not speak English or French, did not learn of his death until two years later. For 72 years, his family did not know where he was laid to rest. For 72 years, an entire family was trying to find answers.
Thanks to the perseverance of his family and the work of Awacak and the Direction de soutien aux familles, baby Maxime has finally been found. DNA analyses have confirmed his identity.
[English]Today, as I speak, he is finally returning home to Manawan, and this is an important moment of truth.
Of course, thanks to the tireless work of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and, of course, above all, to the courage and determination of the families who never stopped seeking answers, since 2020, the Quebec government has had legislation to help locate missing and murdered Indigenous children until 2031. It is Bill 79, which provides for searches for information pertaining to Indigenous children who went missing or died after being admitted to an institution.
[Translation]This is an important reminder to never give up looking and, more importantly, to support families who are still searching for their loved ones.
In October 2025, the Quebec Superior Court issued a landmark decision based on Quebec Bill 79, which authorized the opening of a mass grave at the Saint-Charles Cemetery in Quebec City, right next door to us, and the exhumation of the plot where baby Maxime was buried. This is a deeply moving story.
[English]But it also points out that 146 Innu, Atikamekw and Anishinaabe families are still waiting for answers regarding 251 children.
Approximately 500 access requests resulted in the retrieval of 96 medical records and 115 death records.
[Translation]The truth is essential and so is remembering. Reconciliation involves meaningful action.
To Françoise Ruperthouse, Marie-Marthe Malek and all the other families, I want to say that I admire you. Don’t give up.
[Editor’s Note: Senator Audette spoke in Innu-aimun.]Hon. Senators: Hear, hear.