EDITOR’S NOTE:
The following story contains information about sexual abuse that took place in Wiikwemkoong during the mid-to-late 20th century. This information may be disturbing to those who have suffered from sexual abuse. Support is available 24/7 through the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or the Manitoulin Family Resources crisis line at 1-800-465-6788.
WIIKWEMKOONG – Father George Epoch S.J., one of the worst sexual abusers in Canada’s history, is part of a pending class action for abuses alleged to have taken place when he served in Wiikwemkoong over three separate time periods in the 20th century.
The suit, which is currently being managed on the plaintiff side by Merchant Law Group’s Michael Troy and Chris Simoes, also named the estate of Brother O’Meare as part of the claim. The Expositor has seen additional case documents which include Brother Norman Hinton’s estate in the statement, though Mr. Troy had omitted this name during an earlier conversation with this newspaper. Brother Hinton’s name will be included henceforth in Expositor coverage of this lawsuit.
Father Epoch was born on April 18, 1920 in Kenilworth, near Owen Sound. In 1938, he began his Jesuit studies in Guelph.
A publication from the Garnier Indian Residential School in 1952 congratulated Rev. Epoch, who served as prefect at Spanish in 1946, for his imminent induction into priesthood. It stated that he was set to be ordained by Cardinal McGuigan on June 22, 1952.
The publication did not make clear whether Father Epoch would be serving as priest at the Spanish school after he was ordained, or whether he would be moving elsewhere. The Garnier Stardust, a future iteration of the publication, notes in September 1954 that Father Epoch was at Loyola College in Montreal.
From 1959 to 1960, Father Epoch served in Wiikwemkoong for the first time, according to a history document compiled by Our Lady of Grace Parish in South Bay. This contrasts with what was printed in Father Epoch’s obituary, which states he was ordained in 1959 and served in Kaboni “for a time.”
Father Epoch served in Wiikwemkoong again from 1969 to 1971 according to the parish history, though the obituary states this as 1970. His next posting in Wiikwemkoong was from 1983 to 1986 as stated in the parish history, with the date listed as 1984 to 1986 in his obituary.
The obituary makes note of his various postings between his Wiikwemkoong stints which included Halifax, Montreal, Cape Croker, Port Arthur, Guelph, Pickering, Toronto and Beaconsfield, Que. It was in many of these places that other instances of abuse happened that have been challenged in past lawsuits.
Father Epoch was suffering from arthritis in his legs and was scheduled for hip surgery during his final stay in Wiikwemkoong. Two weeks before his death, he paused his ministry to head south for treatment.
Father Epoch was staying at the Pickering Infirmary for the Jesuits when he died on September 30, 1986, with some reports suggesting the cause as a heart attack. September 30 has since been designated, unrelatedly, as Orange Shirt Day in Canada, a day when Indigenous people across Canada and their allies wear orange shirts to commemorate the abuses their family members had faced as part of the Indian Residential School System.
This week marked 33 years since the death of Father Epoch. He went to his grave before any stories of his past came forward, something that is evident in the way he was sent off through a ceremony and its subsequent write-up in this newspaper.
“Father George Leach S.J. of the Anderson Lake Anishnabin Centre near Espanola delivered the homily to the packed-to-overflowing congregation last Saturday,” wrote author Donna DenEngelsman in The Expositor. “He brought to mind the many caring and loving gestures that came so easily to Father Epoch.”
She noted that the children would remember Father Epoch as “the friendly priest with candy in his pockets,” or as “the tall priest with big feet.” He was noted for the many inspiring and comforting teachings he delivered to adults and children alike.
Father Bernard Bruneau, S.J., who served in Wiikwemkoong from 1984 to 1987, delievered the graveside service immediately outside of the church. Father Epoch remains to this day buried in the cemetery at Holy Cross Mission in Wiikwemkoong, under the shadow of the church.
People in attendance at the funeral included Little Current Legion Branch 177, the Wikwemikong Drum Committee and the Wikwemikong Auxiliary.
His casket was draped with a message reading “Ba Ma Meen-Wa K’gu Wab-Min,” or “I’ll see you again.” Deacon program member Emerick Shigwawja offered comforting words as part of the service, telling the congregation “he will always be with us.”
Mr. Shigwawja might not have known how true his words would become, but perhaps not for the reasons he had intended.
The Expositor will be following the new developments in this case as more information becomes available as well as sharing stories and past records that bring context to the crimes of Father George Epoch, Brother Norman Hinton and Brother O’Meare from their time in Wiikwemkoong.
