How adding names to archival images has been healing for people of We’koqma’qFirst Nation [Video]

When Bryan (Fish) Googoo saw a photo of himself as a young boy posted on Facebook back in November, he was surprised.

He had never seen the black-and-white photo of himself as a five or six-year-old, sitting at a school desk, pencil in hand. 

He doesn’t recall the photo being taken, whether his parents were informed or permission was given.

He does know, however, that his name wasn’t attached to the photo — until recently.

“It was being ignored through the years, those photos and what happened,” said Googoo, who is a member of We’koqma’q First Nation in Cape Breton.

“And it being brought out now, it’s a good feeling, I guess. Good to see before I pass, anyway.”

A Canada-wide project that aims to identify Indigenous people in archival images is making headway in Nova Scotia. Members of the We’koqma’q First Nation have been working to name the people …