For over a century, Canada removed more than 150,000 Aboriginal children from their families to attend church-run residential schools, often in remote locations far from home. This hidden history is told by award-winning author and former student Larry Loyie in Residential Schools, With the Words and Images of Survivors. Why did Indian residential schools, as they were called, happen? How did they continue? Why did they stop? Most significantly, how did they affect the families and the children, now known as school survivors? The goal was assimilation, the elimination of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, traditions, and languages. While the result was painful and destructive, the survivors are finally being heard, their experiences shared, and their healing revealed in words and personal images. Included in Residential Schools, With the Words and Images of Survivors are memories of more than 70 former students and family members. Seven comprehensive chapters address key issues, from “Why did it happen?” and the meaning of culture and traditions, to coping with a new life and healing in a changing world. More than 125 images, many from the personal collections of survivors, enhance the impressive design. A map of Canada’s residential schools, a Key Dates poster, glossary of terms, and index are included. Residential Schools, With the Words and Images of Survivors is proudly co-published by INdigenous Education Press of Brantford, Ontario, and Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. — from dust jacket.
