Stories of Survivors

This chilling video represents the hundreds of thousands of Indigenous Canadians who have been silenced over the years. Although the Residential Schooling System is extinct, the trauma that our Canadian Government has placed on Indigenous people in the past is still relevant, and still experienced. Through stories of survivors of these Schools, we are given the opportunity to learn from our mistakes, take ownership, and find a way to continue to reconcile. The reconciliation process is lifelong. As the trauma is passed down from generation to generation among the Indigenous Canadians, so too is the obligation that we non-Indigenous Canadians have to continue to right our wrongs.

Below are videos from some survivors of the Residential Schooling System. Each video unique in its experience, but shared in its trauma. The overall message is clear: these traumas happened and it is important to become aware of them as the truth. We can not fully reconcile or move forward until we can admit what we have done and what we have put Indigenous people through.

Louise Hall 
"Wash off that brown skin...God doesn't like brown skin."



Louise Longclaws
"I would suggest that people start to allow us to talk and to be heard...just listen. And to actually believe us. These things really did happen to us."



Debra Courchene
"That kind of trauma that's been replayed over and over again. You don't just get over those things. Those stories need to be told. Need to be recognized for the effects that they have on our people."



NOWToronto shared quotes from survivors who shared their stories with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. You can read some of the survivor's quotes here.