Northern Ontario woman releases butterflies in honour of lost children

Raising Monarch butterflies is not only a hobby for Elaine Tremblay, it's also a mission.

Tremblay releases them in honour of people who have passed away in hopes that it gives families and loved ones some comfort.

She started doing it four years ago after learning about the concept from a friend in Windsor.

"Both aspects interested me," Tremblay said.

"I thought raising the monarchs was a good idea and it was nice to be releasing them in (honour of) someone who passed on. I thought it would bring comfort to people and that's how I got started."

So far, she has released about 200 of the winged creatures. She's planted milkweed throughout her property and it's become a full-time affair.

"When I first started doing it, releasing them in memory of someone who passed away, I didn’t realize how comforting it was to people," Tremblay said.

"The responses that I got back … it gave me closure, it made me feel so good. I was actually shocked at the responses I got and how it affected people. It's not just their loved ones -- be it a human or an animal, I've released them for dogs and cats."

She wanted to release them in honour of those children lost to Canadian residential schools, so Tremblay approached her friend, Sharon Gauthier who is Algonquin Metis.

The women came up with a plan. They've decided to do five releases, one for children in the north, south, east, west and in central Canada to make sure no one is forgotten.

"I just thought if I could dedicate it to kids who passed on, Indigenous kids and kids everywhere that have gone missing, I just thought it was important that they be remembered," Tremblay said.

After being blessed in a smokeless smudge, the two carried five butterflies down to Gauthier's front lawn where they were released. Gauthier performed a traveller's song to send them on their journey.

"I was very touched when Elaine contacted me and asked me if it would be appropriate to release some of the Monarch butterflies for the lost children," said Gauthier.

"I was very, very touched about it and I had to sit there and think how do we do this. I think this way it was done right."

The timing of the release coincides with the Pope's visit to Canada where many Canadians are focused on reconciliation.

"This is what truth and reconciliation is all about, understanding, education and being educated in a good way, not to pass blame, but to be there to say this is the truth, how do we go forward in a good way," she said.

"Elaine has been in our lives since I was a little girl. She was my mother's good friend. She did a special ceremony for my sister, my father and my mother and when that happens, it's so touching. It's unbelievable."

Tremblay said she will keep going as long as she's able. And when she's not, she said she's planted milkweed throughout her property in hopes the butterflies will know they have a safe harbour at her home.