The long road back: Bringing Percy Home

For Percy the road home was long and hard, and full of unknowns, as his family struggled for years to locate where he was buried. After that, the fight to repatriate his remains started and on May 1^st, 2025, family members finally exhumed him. Once they are given permission, the Onabigon family along with members of their community will travel more than 1200 km back to Percy’s home in Long Lake #58 First Nation, in Northern Ontario. There he will be interred with his sisters, far from his small, marked grave here in Oxford County.

The story of Percy demonstrates the harsh legacy of residential schools, having been taken away from his family at 8 years old to attend a school so far from home. He spent nearly 20 years in various institutions without his family’s consent and with no way to contact them. The search for and the repatriation of Percy was not an easy process as the family fought and advocated for his return home.

While you walk around this display take the time to reflect on meaning of coming home after a long time away. Understand that Percy’s story, while heartbreaking is not unique, there are more stories and other people who have experienced the same things.

Marcus Ryan, warden of Oxford County sums up his thoughts on the exhibit with this meaningful statement, “this display honours Percy’s life while also challenging us to confront difficult truths. Without understanding those truths, we cannot move on to meaningful reconciliation. Oxford County residents can be proud of the constructive role we have played in Percy’s story.”

The long road back: Bringing Percy Home exhibit is on display in the lobby at the Oxford County Administration building (21 Reeve St, Woodstock.) It will remain in place until October 6, concluding with a closing ceremony that will include Percy’s family, members of the First Nations community, Warden Marcus Ryan, and other dignitaries.

Liz Dommasch, Oxford County Archivist and Marcus Ryan, Warden of Oxford County.