family ties
how did residential schools affect Bev Sellars relationship with her parents?
It created emotional distance because her parents also went through the system and struggled to express love and affection.
How did residential school affect Bev Sellars’ ability to form friendships?
The strict and harsh environment made it difficult to trust others, and students were often punished for bonding too closely.
Who is Bev Sellars?
Bev Sellars is an Indigenous author, speaker, and former chief of the Xat’sull (Soda Creek) First Nation in British Columbia.
What was the name of the residential school Bev Sellars attended?
She attended St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in British Columbia.
What Indigenous Nation does Bev Sellars belong to?
She is a member of the Xat’sull (Soda Creek) First Nation in British Columbia.
What role did Bev Sellars’ grandmother play in her life?
Her grandmother, Mary Sellars, was a source of comfort and strength, teaching her traditional values and helping her heal.
Did Bev have close friends at the residential school?
Yes, but friendships were often strained because of the school’s strict rules and the emotional struggles students faced.
Why did Bev Sellars write They Called Me Number One?
She wrote the book to share her personal experiences with the residential school system and its lasting effects on Indigenous people.
How did residential school affect Bev Sellars and other Indigenous children?
It caused emotional, physical, and cultural harm, leading to a loss of language, identity, and trust in relationships.
How did residential school impact Bev Sellars’ connection to her heritage?
The school tried to erase her cultural identity by forbidding her from speaking her language or practicing her traditions.
Why did many Indigenous parents, including Bev’s, feel powerless against residential schools?
The government forced children to attend, and parents had no legal right to refuse, even though they knew the schools were harmful.
How did friendships help Bev survive residential school?
Having friends provided emotional support and helped her endure the hardships of abuse, loneliness, and separation from family.
What was Bev Sellars’ experience in residential school?
She faced emotional, physical, and cultural abuse at St. Joseph’s Mission, which deeply impacted her self-worth and family relationships.
Why were Indigenous children forced to attend residential schools?
The Canadian government and churches ran these schools to assimilate Indigenous children by erasing their culture and traditions.
What role did Bev Sellars’ grandmother play in preserving her heritage?
Her grandmother, Mary Sellars, taught her traditional knowledge, stories, and values that helped her reconnect with her identity.
How did the trauma from residential schools pass through generations in Bev Sellars’ family?
The emotional and psychological damage affected parenting styles, leading to cycles of pain, substance abuse, and difficulty expressing love.
What challenges did Bev face in maintaining friendships outside of residential school?
The trauma she experienced made it hard to connect with others, and the cultural gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people added to the difficulty.
How has Bev Sellars advocated for Indigenous rights?
She has worked in politics, spoken about the harmful legacy of residential schools, and written books to educate others about Indigenous history.
What kind of treatment did students experience at St. Joseph’s Mission?
Many students suffered abuse, neglect, and strict discipline while being discouraged from speaking their language or practicing their culture.
How did Bev reclaim her Indigenous heritage after leaving residential school?
She learned from elders, embraced traditional practices, and became an advocate for Indigenous rights and culture.
How did reconnecting with family and culture help Bev heal?
Learning from elders, embracing her Indigenous identity, and understanding her family’s past helped her break the cycle of trauma.
How did Bev’s friendships change after she reconnected with her Indigenous identity?
She found deeper and more meaningful relationships with people who shared her cultural background and understood her experiences.
Besides being an author, what other roles has Bev Sellars held?
She served as chief of the Xat’sull First Nation and has been active in environmental and Indigenous rights advocacy.
How did Bev Sellars heal from the trauma of residential school?
She reconnected with her Indigenous roots, learned from elders, and became an advocate for truth and healing in her community.
Why is heritage important in They Called Me Number One?
Heritage represents identity, strength, and resilience, and the book highlights how reconnecting with culture helps heal generational trauma.