Residential Schools
What was the purpose of residential schools?
To assimilate Indigenous children into European-Canadian culture.
What Indigenous nation is Bev Sellars from?
The Xat’sull (Soda Creek) First Nation.
What language did Bev and other children get punished for speaking?
Secwepemctsin (Shuswap language).
What was one way colonization changed Indigenous communities?
It disrupted traditional lifestyles and governance.
What is one way Bev Sellars found healing?
Through reconnecting with her culture and traditions.
How old was Bev Sellars when she was sent to residential school?
She was five years old.
What role did Bev Sellars take on in her community as an adult?
She became the chief of the Xat’sull First Nation.
How did residential schools affect Indigenous cultural traditions?
They attempted to erase Indigenous traditions, languages, and customs.
What role did the government and churches play in residential schools?
The Canadian government funded them, and churches ran them.
What is intergenerational trauma?
Trauma that is passed down through generations due to historical oppression
Name one way children were punished in residential schools.
They were beaten, isolated, or had their mouths washed out with soap for speaking their language.
Why did Bev struggle with school in her early years?
Because of the trauma from residential schools and the strict, abusive environment
What did Bev Sellars’ grandmother teach her about Indigenous ways?
She taught her about traditional medicines and cultural beliefs.
How did residential schools contribute to cycles of trauma?
Survivors often struggled with parenting, relationships, and mental health due to their experiences.
How do Indigenous communities work toward healing today
By reclaiming language, cultural practices, and advocating for justice.
What was the name of the residential school Bev Sellars attended?
St. Joseph’s Mission.
What major struggle did Bev Sellars face as an adult?
She battled alcoholism before beginning her journey of healing.
She taught her about traditional medicines and cultural beliefs.
By passing down traditions in secret, preserving language, and revitalizing ceremonies.
What was the Sixties Scoop?
A period when Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in non-Indigenous homes.
What role do Elders play in Indigenous healing?
They share wisdom, traditions, and provide guidance for younger generations.
What were some of the long-term psychological effects of residential schools on survivors?
Trauma, loss of cultural identity, depression, substance abuse, and difficulty with relationships.
What was a turning point in Bev Sellars’ healing journey?
Learning about her culture and reconnecting with her heritage helped her heal.
What does the title They Call Me Number One symbolize?
It refers to how Indigenous children were stripped of their names and identities in residential schools, often being referred to by numbers.
What official action did Canada take to acknowledge the harm caused by residential schools?
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a formal apology by the Canadian government in 2008.
How does They Call Me Number One contribute to reconciliation?
By educating readers on the realities of residential schools and inspiring dialogue on healing and justice.