Bev Sellars
How old was Bev Sellars when she gave birth to her first child?
Bev Sellars was 18 years old
What was the name of the residential school Bev Sellars attended?
St. Joseph’s Mission
How did the residential schools impact Bev Sellars relationship with her family?
They created emotional distance and a sense of disconnect
What emotion did Bev frequently feel during her time at the school?
Fear
What did Bev realize about her Indigenous identity after leaving the school?
That it was something to be proud of and not ashamed of
In which city was Bev’s school at in chapter 13?
Bev’s school was located in Kamloops city
What was the first thing the school did to the children upon arrival?
They cut their hair and took away their belongings
Who raised Bev Sellars before she was sent to residential school?
Her grandmother
What was one of the most common forms of discipline used at the school?
Physical punishment such as beatings or being forced to kneel for long periods
What role did language play in her reconnection with her culture?
She worked to reclaim her Indigenous language which had been suppressed at the school
When was Bev invited to speak at a gathering at Alkali Lake?
It was during her first years as a chief
How were the meals at the school often described?
The quality of the food was poor, rotten and the children’s were forced to eat everything on their plate
How did Bev’s mother’s experiences in residential school affect how she parented Bev?
She struggled with showing affection and expressing love due to her own trauma
How did the school contribute to low self-esteem among students?
They kept putting the children down which made them feel less important and it took away their pride in who they were
How did Bev’s activism help her reconnect with her culture?
She fought for Indigenous rights, land claims and the recognition of residential school abuse
How did Bev Sellars cope with the loneliness while she was staying at Coqualeetza Indian Hospital?
She employed a psychological survival mechanism by suppressing memories of her family
What was one of the punishments given to the kids who tried to run away?
They would be physically punished/humiliated
What was one way Bev’s relationship with her mother was complicated after she returned from school?
Bev found it hard to connect emotionally with her mother as the school had trained her to be distant
What lasting effects did Bev experience as a result of her trauma at the school?
Anxiety, difficulty trusting others and struggles with self-worth
What traditional practice did Bev embrace that helped her healing journey?
Participating in cultural ceremonies and traditional healing practices
What was the neatest thing Bev remembers about Vancouver?
She remembers buying popcorn from a vendor down by the beach
How did the residential school attempt to suppress the kids cultural identity through daily routines?
They forced them to speak only English, they get punished for speaking their Indigenous languages and the imposed Catholic teachings while discouraging Indigenous spiritual practices
How did Bev’s family history of attending residential schools contribute to intergenerational trauma?
Multiple generations faced abuse and loss of culture which lead to a cycle of emotional pain, addiction and difficulty expressing love and trust.
How did Bev eventually confront and begin to heal from her trauma?
By speaking openly about her experiences, reconnecting with her culture and advocating for Indigenous rights and healing
How did Bev use her personal story to educate others and support healing in her community?
She wrote They Call Me Number One to raise awareness about residential schools and worked as a leader to promote healing and Indigenous rights