Residential schools
What was the name of the school Bev Sellars attended as a child?
St. Joseph’s Mission
What role did Bev’s grandfather play in her understanding of Indigenous traditions?
He taught her about culture and stories.
Which institution controlled Indigenous people during colonial times?
The Indian Act
Why did Bev decide to write this memoir?
To tell her story and help others heal
Finish the quote: “I didn’t know it then, but I was being taught to be ______.”
Ashamed
What was the main goal of residential schools in Canada?
To make Indigenous kids act like Euro-Canadian people
What role did Bev’s mother play in shaping her views on the church and government?
She told Bev not to trust the church or the government
What does Bev say about the loss of traditional Indigenous knowledge?
It made Indigenous people feel bad about who they were
Why do some survivors find it hard to talk about their past?
Because remembering what happened is very painful.
What emotion is most common in the testimonies of survivors?
Sad or upset
How were students punished for speaking their Indigenous languages?
They were hit or punished
How did Bev’s family history influence her understanding of colonialism?
It showed her how much damage the schools caused
How did colonialism affect the way Indigenous people viewed themselves?
It created feelings of shame and inferiority
How does storytelling help survivors?
It attempted to erase and replace Indigenous beliefs
What does Bev mean when she says, “Silence was our survival”?
That hiding pain was the only way to cope
What were children not allowed to do at residential school?
They weren’t allowed to speak their own language or practice their culture.
Why is listening to survivors important for reconciliation?
It helps people understand the truth and fix things
What impact did the church have on Indigenous spirituality and identity?
It attempted to erase and replace Indigenous beliefs
What do many survivors feel when they remember their time at residential school?
They feel pain, sadness, and sometimes anger.
What is the message behind the quote: “They called me number one”?
That the system dehumanized children by using numbers
How does Bev describe the long-term impacts of residential schools on survivors?
They weren’t allowed to speak their own language or practice their culture.
How did the residential school affect Bev’s ability to be a parent later in life?
It was hard for her to show love and talk about feelings because of what she went through.
According to Bev, what is one of the hardest colonial legacies to overcome?
Internalized racism
What advice does Bev give to future generations?
To learn their history and speak their truth
How does Bev use her voice to challenge silence in the final chapters?
By confronting the past openly and urging others to do the same