Family
How do you pronounce Xp’e7e
Bah
What is colonization?
When one group takes over another’s land and way of life.
Did Bev’s children go to the residential school?
No
How old was Bev when she first went to residential school?
7 years old
What was her assigned number at residential school?
Number One
What nation is Bev Stellars from?
Xat’sull (Soda Creek) First Nation
How did colonization change Indigenous people’s lives?
It took away their land and rights, made their lives harder.
Why were Indigenous kids sent to residential schools?
To erase their culture and make them act white.
What struggles did she face growing up?
Depression, trauma, and identity loss.
Whats one main theme of They Call Me Number One?
Residential schools and their effects caused by them.
Why was family important in her culture?
They taught traditions, language, and gave support.
What happened to Indigenous kids during colonization?
Taken from their families and sent to residential schools.
How did the schools try to erase Indigenous identity?
Cant use native language, traditions or names just numbers.
What leadership role did Bev eventually take?
She became Chief of her Nation.
When did the last residential school in Canada close?
In 1996.
How did Bevs family feel about residential schools?
They didnt want their kids to go but they had no choice.
Whats the Indian Act?
A law that controlled Indigenous peoples lives, regulating their status, land, and many aspects of their daily existence.
What happened if they spoke their own language?
They got punished: got soap in their mouth, beaten, shamed or worse.
How did her grandma help her?
She taught her about their culture and how to be strong.
What police force was involved in taking Indigenous children to residential schools?
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Did Bev have a good relationship with her family?
It was complicated due to the trauma they all experienced from residential school, but they still supported each other through it.
Why do people still talk about colonization?
Because its effects were huge and society never went back to how it was before.
Who ran most of these schools?
The government and churches, mostly Catholic.
Which residential school did Bev Sellars attend?
St. Mary’s Indian Residential School in Williams Lake, British Columbia.
What was the role of the Canadian government in the residential school system?
The government funded and mandated the operation of residential schools with churches.