They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School
- Downloads：4393
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-06-28 10:53:04
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Bev Sellars
- ISBN：0889227411
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
Xat'sull Chief Bev Sellars spent her childhood in a church-run residential school whose aim it was to "civilize" Native children through Christian teachings， forced separation from family and culture， and discipline。 In addition， beginning at the age of five， Sellars was isolated for two years at Coqualeetza Indian Tuberculosis Hospital in Sardis， British Columbia， nearly six hours' drive from home。 The trauma of these experiences has reverberated throughout her life。
The first full-length memoir to be published out of St。 Joseph's Mission at Williams Lake， BC， Sellars tells of three generations of women who attended the school， interweaving the personal histories of her grandmother and her mother with her own。 She tells of hunger， forced labour， and physical beatings， often with a leather strap， and also of the demand for conformity in a culturally alien institution where children were confined and denigrated for failure to be White and Roman Catholic。
Like Native children forced by law to attend schools across Canada and the United States， Sellars and other students of St。 Joseph's Mission were allowed home only for two months in the summer and for two weeks at Christmas。 The rest of the year they lived， worked， and studied at the school。 St。 Joseph's Mission is the site of the controversial and well-publicized sex-related offences of Bishop Hubert O'Connor， which took place during Sellars's student days， between 1962 and 1967， when O'Connor was the school principal。 After the school's closure， those who had been forced to attend came from surrounding reserves and smashed windows， tore doors and cabinets from the wall， and broke anything that could be broken。 Overnight their anger turned a site of shameful memory into a pile of rubble。
In this frank and poignant memoir， Sellars breaks her silence about the institution's lasting effects， and eloquently articulates her own path to healing。
The first full-length memoir to be published out of St。 Joseph's Mission at Williams Lake， BC， Sellars tells of three generations of women who attended the school， interweaving the personal histories of her grandmother and her mother with her own。 She tells of hunger， forced labour， and physical beatings， often with a leather strap， and also of the demand for conformity in a culturally alien institution where children were confined and denigrated for failure to be White and Roman Catholic。
Like Native children forced by law to attend schools across Canada and the United States， Sellars and other students of St。 Joseph's Mission were allowed home only for two months in the summer and for two weeks at Christmas。 The rest of the year they lived， worked， and studied at the school。 St。 Joseph's Mission is the site of the controversial and well-publicized sex-related offences of Bishop Hubert O'Connor， which took place during Sellars's student days， between 1962 and 1967， when O'Connor was the school principal。 After the school's closure， those who had been forced to attend came from surrounding reserves and smashed windows， tore doors and cabinets from the wall， and broke anything that could be broken。 Overnight their anger turned a site of shameful memory into a pile of rubble。
In this frank and poignant memoir， Sellars breaks her silence about the institution's lasting effects， and eloquently articulates her own path to healing。
Reviews
Sue
，
This should be mandatory reading for every Canadian in coming to understand the impact of residential schools 。 The author speaks in a straight forward manner as if you had met and she is telling her life story。 Horrific， sad， jarring and yet some joy， the truth generational effects of colonization leave the reader with much soul searching。
grace flowers
，
This book was very well written， and incredibly insightful to what a residential school was， and the effect that has been left on the First Nation population。 This book played on my mind for days， and I would recommend to everyone。
Jennifer Lensink
，
Thank you so much for sharing your story！ I am more educated now on understanding the long term， trickle effects of residential schools on indigenous communities。 My heart wishes all Canadians will read more stories of indigenous people。
Olivia
，
As a colonizer， I am on a journey of discovery of what we put Canada's Indigenous people through。 Bev's book was beautifully written。 She was able to discuss three generations experience in the residential "schools"， along with the longterm effects those institutions had on their "students"。 Thank you， Bev！ As a colonizer， I am on a journey of discovery of what we put Canada's Indigenous people through。 Bev's book was beautifully written。 She was able to discuss three generations experience in the residential "schools"， along with the longterm effects those institutions had on their "students"。 Thank you， Bev！ 。。。more
Erin （bespectacled。bibliophile）
，
4。5 stars， rounded up。Review to come。
Adelaide
，
I really liked the tone of this book， it was very conversational like having coffee with a family member。 So many aspects of the stories connected the atrocities of the residential school with echos of our own lives， like rolling around in the tractor tires。 Highly recommend， especially in light of recent events。
Rebecca Watts
，
A very well-written account of the mistreatment and tragedy of Canadian Indian residential schools。 I was unaware that these kinds of schools were still "in business" during the same time I was beginning my school years in Florida。 I recently watched the first several episodes of Eyes on the Prize， the excellent documentary about American Blacks' fight for civil rights in the '50s， '60s， and on beyond。 The struggles the Indigenous peoples have endured for hundreds of years in North America are v A very well-written account of the mistreatment and tragedy of Canadian Indian residential schools。 I was unaware that these kinds of schools were still "in business" during the same time I was beginning my school years in Florida。 I recently watched the first several episodes of Eyes on the Prize， the excellent documentary about American Blacks' fight for civil rights in the '50s， '60s， and on beyond。 The struggles the Indigenous peoples have endured for hundreds of years in North America are very similar to those of America's Blacks。 Both have had to fight for their rights as human beings。 Bev Sellars' book shines the light on the problems and details her own fight to get her education， which enabled her take on leadership roles in making the lives of her people better。 Ultimately， a hopeful book。 。。。more
Clivemichael
，
Inspiring and enlightening descriptive sharing。
Susan
，
Bev Sellars takes us on a journey through a time I know little about。 Knowing that residential schools were awful and hearing her account of generations going through this atrocious system had me unknowingly reacting， down to my core。 Another story that will live on and hopefully be learned from。 Another story of survival and perseverance。 Another story of how suffering is passed on and should give is all some compassion for what we cannot relate to or know about。 These pages may offer insight b Bev Sellars takes us on a journey through a time I know little about。 Knowing that residential schools were awful and hearing her account of generations going through this atrocious system had me unknowingly reacting， down to my core。 Another story that will live on and hopefully be learned from。 Another story of survival and perseverance。 Another story of how suffering is passed on and should give is all some compassion for what we cannot relate to or know about。 These pages may offer insight but sharing her lived experience can only help us know if we want to learn。 Me being able to pick up a book won't ever be enough to understand， what can we do but acknowledge and be compassionate？ I'm grateful that Bev Sellars shared her story with us， I hope that if you are reading this review， you will also want to learn and find yourself looking at your surroundings differently。 Finding a new appreciation for life。 。。。more
Christine Bauman
，
This is a must read for everyone。 A powerful， decades-thought-out memoir that encapsulates the life （and family's lives） of someone supremely affected by the racist institutions put up by ignorant and abusive settlers/newcomers/invaders。 It is a book where I stop and take a bow to the author when I reach the end。 To thank her for her voice。 Thank her for her honesty。 Thank her for her triumph。 Thank her for her perseverance as she swims out of the trauma that could have annihilated her。 And than This is a must read for everyone。 A powerful， decades-thought-out memoir that encapsulates the life （and family's lives） of someone supremely affected by the racist institutions put up by ignorant and abusive settlers/newcomers/invaders。 It is a book where I stop and take a bow to the author when I reach the end。 To thank her for her voice。 Thank her for her honesty。 Thank her for her triumph。 Thank her for her perseverance as she swims out of the trauma that could have annihilated her。 And thank her for her kindness， forgiveness， and humor as she tells a heartbreaking story in a way that makes you laugh at the funny way children interpret and cope with the world。 Her story is one that went under the radar for people like my privileged parents who were raised at the same time。 It's a story I urge people of any generation to read。 。。。more
Jessica Blair
，
This book is extremely well written and should be mandatory reading in every high school across Canada。
Katsmewsings
，
Incredibly informative and moving。 100%， a great piece for every Canadian school。
Savi
，
（2021Book#38）4⭐️
Joce0711
，
They Called Me Number One is Bev Sellar's honest and heart wrenching account of growing up on a First Nations Reserve and at the St。 Joseph's Mission school。 I whole heartedly agree that this book should be required reading in Canada; and it is atrocious what has happened to the First Nations people。 Reading this story， Bev's trauma and hurt read between the lines of her words。 There was a flow that was missing that left the writing a little bit more factual than emotional， but when considering They Called Me Number One is Bev Sellar's honest and heart wrenching account of growing up on a First Nations Reserve and at the St。 Joseph's Mission school。 I whole heartedly agree that this book should be required reading in Canada; and it is atrocious what has happened to the First Nations people。 Reading this story， Bev's trauma and hurt read between the lines of her words。 There was a flow that was missing that left the writing a little bit more factual than emotional， but when considering the atrocities she is describing， it is easy to get past。 She succinctly describes the abuse that she remembers against herself， and her family members; and does her best to describe the aftermath and constant alcohol and drug dependence as well as the suicides that plague First Nations people。 The fact that paramedics， hospital officials， police officers turn blind eyes to these people and their needs was astonishing。 By the second half of the book， as Bev describes the work she has done to heal her pain and overcome the various abuses she has suffered， she emerges as a wonderful writer。 At this point， I felt the pain of recalling the issues in the first few chapters were what led the writing。 Bev has accomplished so much and is incredibly inspiring。 The reality is this is a part of Canadian history that is kept secret; and it shouldn't be。 I was astonished to read that majority of First Nations peoples do not speak their native language！ I hope that through education and an end to systemic racism we can begin to support， truly， the different cultures that call Canada home。 。。。more
Amanda Zhang
，
I recommend this to anyone， but especially my fellow Canadians。 I learned a lot and kept thinking， 'Why wasn't I taught about any of this in school？' I recommend this to anyone， but especially my fellow Canadians。 I learned a lot and kept thinking， 'Why wasn't I taught about any of this in school？' 。。。more
Lena
，
I've listened to the audiobook narrated by Bev Sellars herself。 What an intense experience。 From time to time I could hear tears in her voice and I couldn't help from crying along。 I've listened to the audiobook narrated by Bev Sellars herself。 What an intense experience。 From time to time I could hear tears in her voice and I couldn't help from crying along。 。。。more
Katie Goulet
，
Bev Sellars is a wonderful story teller， and in this book， she takes her readers through her experience of attending Residential school， and provides a multi-generational perspective by tying in her mum and grandmother's stories。 Canadians learn so little about this in their history classes， and I think this book should be a must read。 The honest and straightforward delivery of Sellars' story is impactful and brings a greater understanding to the struggles of First Nations that are ongoing today Bev Sellars is a wonderful story teller， and in this book， she takes her readers through her experience of attending Residential school， and provides a multi-generational perspective by tying in her mum and grandmother's stories。 Canadians learn so little about this in their history classes， and I think this book should be a must read。 The honest and straightforward delivery of Sellars' story is impactful and brings a greater understanding to the struggles of First Nations that are ongoing today。 We have a lot of work to do。 。。。more
Judy Gelinas
，
Excellent read。
Julie
，
This book was very well done。 It’s always heartbreaking to learn what our country did （and continue to do） to the Indigenous people， and this was a very honest account of how residential school affected the author’s life。 Highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning more。
Wanda
，
This is an absolutely essential book， giving a first-person account of the atrocities committed in residential schools and the outcomes of multi-generational trauma in aboriginal populations in Canada。 I can’t even begin to describe the disgust I feel at the brazen abuse indigenous children were subjected to， the incredible harm the racist policies enforced by RCMP and “Indian” agents did to First Nations peoples。 Bev’s triumph in the face of cultural genocide perpetrated by the Catholic Church， This is an absolutely essential book， giving a first-person account of the atrocities committed in residential schools and the outcomes of multi-generational trauma in aboriginal populations in Canada。 I can’t even begin to describe the disgust I feel at the brazen abuse indigenous children were subjected to， the incredible harm the racist policies enforced by RCMP and “Indian” agents did to First Nations peoples。 Bev’s triumph in the face of cultural genocide perpetrated by the Catholic Church， the racist policies of the government of Canada， and the social conditioning intended to fundamentally break the spirits of indigenous people， is wondrous; her continued advocacy for her people and for the indigenous people across Canada is awe-inspiring。 As a descendant of colonizers， I want to learn how to do better to respect indigenous peoples; the first step is to acknowledge whose land I inhabit: the unceded land of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh （Squamish） Coast Salish peoples。 It is our duty to listen to and to amplify indigenous voices， especially when it comes to the management of their land and the resources therein。 I especially appreciated Bev’s closing remarks regarding conservancy and land stewardship， how ecologically sound choices for industry and energy standards will be a key part of establishing indigenous sovereignty。 。。。more
Meg
，
The story that Bev Sellars tells in this book is eye opening。 The history of residential schools in Canada were a taboo subject for so long， it is amazing to hear those who survived and later found their voices。 I will highly recommend this book to anyone I speak to。 It touches on Bev's history before residential school， her family's history， the struggle as a young indigenous person who has been brainwashed by a system programmed for them to fail and reflection on overcoming her hardships。 This The story that Bev Sellars tells in this book is eye opening。 The history of residential schools in Canada were a taboo subject for so long， it is amazing to hear those who survived and later found their voices。 I will highly recommend this book to anyone I speak to。 It touches on Bev's history before residential school， her family's history， the struggle as a young indigenous person who has been brainwashed by a system programmed for them to fail and reflection on overcoming her hardships。 This book does not contain any over the top graphic details but brings the reader into her world to understand what she and many others faced during the time of residential schools。 。。。more
Sabrina Voerman
，
This should be a required reading in schools。 It takes a close， personal look at the generational damage done because of residential schools （among other systems that uphold racism）。 Every single page made me pause and reflect。 There were heaps of lines that held so much power。 One in particular that stuck out to me was as follows: "There can be no forgiveness for evil done in the guise of religion and there can be no forgiveness for racism。" This should be a required reading in schools。 It takes a close， personal look at the generational damage done because of residential schools （among other systems that uphold racism）。 Every single page made me pause and reflect。 There were heaps of lines that held so much power。 One in particular that stuck out to me was as follows: "There can be no forgiveness for evil done in the guise of religion and there can be no forgiveness for racism。" 。。。more
Luke Smith
，
A great introduction to the impact the residential school system has made on generations of indigenous people in Canada。 This feels more like a one to one conversation than an academic piece， which adds to its charm。
Tricia
，
At the end of this book， Bev says that she is tired of non-Aboriginal people writing books as experts on Aboriginal people。 I agree， and I do appreciate Bev’s memoir of her time growing up in BC， attending a residential school， enduring generational trauma， and finding self-worth and hope by learning the broader history of colonization that had been denied her as a child。
Shannon
，
An impressive and true story of oppression， racism and prejudice that occurred not too long ago in British Columbia。 Bev is now an influential leader in the province。 To read of her past is eye opening and alarming。 We can do better and need to change the way that we treat First Nations folks in our communities and systems。
Shannon
，
Like a modern， real， and devastating Oliver Twist。 I remember a friend of ours talking about his grandparents。 He offhandedly said they had "the English beaten into them。" I really didn't give it much thought。 This particular friend spoke hyperbolingly anyway。 But several years later I attended a Comprehensible Input Seminar for language teachers sponsored by the Cherokee tribe。 Most participants were teachers who were teaching Cherokee。 These participants shared stories of their grandparents' t Like a modern， real， and devastating Oliver Twist。 I remember a friend of ours talking about his grandparents。 He offhandedly said they had "the English beaten into them。" I really didn't give it much thought。 This particular friend spoke hyperbolingly anyway。 But several years later I attended a Comprehensible Input Seminar for language teachers sponsored by the Cherokee tribe。 Most participants were teachers who were teaching Cherokee。 These participants shared stories of their grandparents' traumatic experiences learning English in these residential schools。 I was heartbroken to hear these sad experiences。I wanted to learn more about first Americans learning English and this book found it's way to my queue。Bev Sellars tells her story （and those of her grandmother and mother） of living in a residential school， the abuse she endured， but the perseverance of her grandmother who helped her become the woman she is now。 I am so proud of her and her accomplishments。** After thinking about the impact residential schools had， I started to think of the impact it had in my own state。 Honestly， I know they existed but I don’t know hardly anything about them。 What I do know is that in the 1910’s and 20’s when the Indian Bureau was taking “roll”， lots of people were ashamed of their heritage and were not counted。 How much tradition， culture， language， and identity was lost？ 。。。more
Rammy
，
An intense and moving memoir about Chief Bev Sellars' life that largely recounts the enduring trauma she endured at St。 Joseph's Mission residential school in Williams Lake， British Columbia。 This memoir is also an intergenerational memoir as Sellars talks about her mother and grandmother's lives， both of whom also endured the violence of the residential school system。 There's a moment in the book when Sellars recounts her grandparents visiting her at St。 Joseph's， but the visit was "supervised" An intense and moving memoir about Chief Bev Sellars' life that largely recounts the enduring trauma she endured at St。 Joseph's Mission residential school in Williams Lake， British Columbia。 This memoir is also an intergenerational memoir as Sellars talks about her mother and grandmother's lives， both of whom also endured the violence of the residential school system。 There's a moment in the book when Sellars recounts her grandparents visiting her at St。 Joseph's， but the visit was "supervised" by a priest and so she sat there in silence with her siblings and grandparents， no one able to communicate: "We were scared to do or say something wrong with a school authority sitting there， so we all sat quietly in our chairs" （p。67）。 This moment broke my heart， as did so many other memories that Sellars has put to paper from the physical and sexual violence inflicted onto students by the supposedly religious staff to the spoiled meat that the kids were forced to eat。 But what I love about this memoir is how much hope and optimism that Sellars also weaves throughout the book。 Sometimes her timeline is a bit hard to follow， but her writing is very accessible and I hope young readers in particular will pick it up and give it a read。*I should add that I grew up in B。C。 I knew about the residential school system， it was talked about in my social studies classes， but I did NOT know about it from this deeply personal， very real perspective。 It's easy to study moments from the past and comprehend the content without really grasping the weight of it all。 I think what I liked most about this memoir is how Sellars brought me into her world and allowed me to connect with her pain and sorrow and hope; she allowed me to connect to the history of the residential school system in a new and much more impactful way。 。。。more
Jean
，
“ 。。。。。。。 when there were wars between the Whites and Natives， it was always a victory when the White people won and a massacre when the Indians won”“The reserve， with all its dysfunction， still serves as the safest place in the world for some，”
Justine
，
This was an eye opening book for sure。
Tamara Bodnar
，