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Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman

Eli Brooks

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Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman

by Rudy Wiebe

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3753 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	466 pages

A Cree Woman Stands In Front Of A Residential School. Stolen Life: The Journey Of A Cree Woman

In the early 1900s, the Canadian government began a systematic campaign to remove Indigenous children from their families and place them in residential schools. The goal was to assimilate these children into white society and to eradicate their Indigenous culture and language.

One of the children who was stolen from her family was a Cree woman named Sarah.

Sarah was born in a small village in northern Saskatchewan. She was a happy and healthy child, and she loved spending time with her family. But when she was six years old, she was taken from her home and sent to a residential school.

The residential school was a cold and lonely place. The children were forbidden to speak their own language or practice their own culture. They were often beaten and abused.

Sarah endured years of abuse at the residential school. She was beaten, starved, and humiliated. She was also forced to work long hours in the fields.

Despite the abuse, Sarah never gave up hope. She dreamed of one day returning to her family and living a normal life.

In her late teens, Sarah finally escaped from the residential school. She made her way back to her village, but she was no longer the same person she had been before. She was traumatized by her experiences at the school, and she struggled to adjust to life outside of it.

Sarah eventually found her way to a support group for survivors of residential schools. There, she met other survivors who had gone through similar experiences. Together, they helped each other to heal from the trauma of their past.

Sarah's story is a harrowing one, but it is also a story of survival, resilience, and healing. She is an inspiration to us all, and her story reminds us of the importance of fighting for justice and equality.

The Legacy of Residential Schools

The legacy of residential schools is a dark chapter in Canadian history. The schools had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, and they continue to have a negative impact on Indigenous people today.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada found that residential schools were a form of cultural genocide. The schools were designed to destroy Indigenous cultures and languages, and to assimilate Indigenous children into white society.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission also found that residential schools were a breeding ground for abuse. The children who attended these schools were often beaten, starved, and sexually abused.

The legacy of residential schools continues to haunt Indigenous communities today. Many survivors of residential schools suffer from mental health problems, addiction, and other social problems.

The Canadian government has apologized for the residential school system, and it has taken steps to address the legacy of the schools. However, there is still much work to be done.

How You Can Help

There are many ways that you can help to address the legacy of residential schools. Here are a few ideas:

Educate yourself about the history of residential schools and their impact on Indigenous communities.
Support organizations that are working to help residential school survivors and their families.
Advocate for policies that promote justice and equality for Indigenous people.
Be a voice for those who have been silenced.

The journey of reconciliation is a long and difficult one. But it is a journey that we must all take together. By working together, we can create a better future for Indigenous people and for all Canadians.

Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman

by Rudy Wiebe

4.6 out of 5