Residential School Life
What were the sleeping conditions like for the children at the school?
The children slept in large, overcrowded dormitories with little privacy and uncomfortable bedding. The rooms were often cold and poorly maintained.
Why did many children struggle to trust others after leaving the residential school?
The emotional and physical abuse they suffered made them afraid of trusting anyone, even family members.
What did the schools try to erase from the children?
Their culture, language, and traditions.
Who raised Bev Stellars?
Gram
What illness did Bev have when she was 5?
Tuberculosis
How does kids flirt and get into relationships in residential schools?
Since they weren't allowed to be with their lovers, they would only look at each other.
How did the lack of emotional support at the school affect the children’s mental health?
The children felt isolated and unloved, leading to long-term emotional issues like anxiety and depression.
Why didn't Gram teach Carrier to the children?
Because she wanted to spare them the agony of being punished with the strap at school.
What traditional customs were the children forced to abandon at the school?
They were not allowed to practice ceremonies, wear traditional clothing, or speak their language.
What was the method of healing in the residential schools when you broke a limb or got sick?
They would make you lay on a bed until your healed. If you got an infection, they would send you to a hospital
Why were the kids at the school always hungry?
Their food was aften rotten.
Why did some children become emotionally detached as a way to survive the harsh conditions?
Emotional detachment helped them avoid further pain and disappointment when they were mistreated or neglected.
Which chapter talks about Bev's few good memories ? (number only)
6
How did the school’s efforts to erase Indigenous identity affect the children’s sense of self?
The children felt lost and disconnected from their heritage, not knowing who they truly were.
How did sharing cultural stories help the children survive emotionally?
It reminded them of who they were and gave them hope
What was the kids perceiving as a Luxury wich can be shared but for the whites one it is disgusting?
Chewing-gum
What did Elvis Prestley say that made Bev feel ashamed of who she was.
"I would rather kiss a dog than an indian".
How did the loss of language and cultural practices create a disconnect between the children and their communities?
When they returned home, they could no longer communicate properly with their families or participate fully in cultural life
Which sibling thought Bev how to ski?
Bobby
How did girls protected each other just not to be beaten by older kids?
They created gangs
How were the daily routines at the residential school designed to control the children’s behavior?
The strict schedules for waking up, meals, chores, and prayers were designed to break the children’s individuality and enforce obedience and submission.
How did the trauma experienced at the residential school affect the children’s relationships with their own children later in life?
Many children grew up unable to express affection or trust, which affected how they raised their own children and led to a cycle of emotional distance.
Why did some children feel ashamed of their Indigenous background after leaving the residential school?
The schools taught them that their culture was inferior, leading to internalized shame and rejection of their heritage
Why did some children feel ashamed of their Indigenous background after leaving the residential school?
The schools taught them that their culture was inferior, leading to internalized shame and rejection of their heritage.
How is cultural survival an act of resistance in the face of colonial violence?
Because it challenges the goal of assimilation and keeps Indigenous heritage alive despite efforts to destroy it.