Scan barcode
Reviews
They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School by Bev Sellars
artistmaybe's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed the writing style of this book, at times it felt like you were sitting beside the writer as she was relating a story from her past. Many of these were stories of trauma and loss but still approachable because of the writing style. I also learnt more about our Native peoples recent history and their struggles and the strength and resilience that many of them have.
ingread27's review against another edition
5.0
While I can never understand what it must have been like to go to a residential school and be treated so inhumanely, this book gave an incredible glimpse into what it was like for so many. I spent most of the book somewhere between angry and incredibly sad. Then occasionally a smile at a touching moment.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Bev Sellars herself. If you can, that's what I recommend doing, as to hear her story in her own voice about her life is invaluable. The book will give you a sense of how terrible the residential schools were, but also context around what life was like outside of the school as well. She was incredibly engaging, and I couldn't stop listening.
Every Canadian should read about this terrible time in our history. It's part of who we are, whether we like it or not, and ignorance is not bliss. It's just ignorance, in this case. So let's acknowledge the pain we caused, and still cause, to those who were here before us. It's a start.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Bev Sellars herself. If you can, that's what I recommend doing, as to hear her story in her own voice about her life is invaluable. The book will give you a sense of how terrible the residential schools were, but also context around what life was like outside of the school as well. She was incredibly engaging, and I couldn't stop listening.
Every Canadian should read about this terrible time in our history. It's part of who we are, whether we like it or not, and ignorance is not bliss. It's just ignorance, in this case. So let's acknowledge the pain we caused, and still cause, to those who were here before us. It's a start.
pandaspages's review
4.0
This is such an important read.
I shouldn’t be surprised that I live in a country that tore indigenous families apart by forcing their children in residential schools. And in those schools the children were abused, neglected, assaulted, bullied, brain washed and beaten for speaking their native language and being themselves.
My interest about learning more about residential schools was peaked when I read the book “Good Morning Monster” by Catherine Gildiner. One of her patients was forced to attend a residential school as a child and years later as an adult was wrestling with the lasting effects the time there had on him. I recommend this book by Sellars and Gildiner’s book as well.
I shouldn’t be surprised that I live in a country that tore indigenous families apart by forcing their children in residential schools. And in those schools the children were abused, neglected, assaulted, bullied, brain washed and beaten for speaking their native language and being themselves.
My interest about learning more about residential schools was peaked when I read the book “Good Morning Monster” by Catherine Gildiner. One of her patients was forced to attend a residential school as a child and years later as an adult was wrestling with the lasting effects the time there had on him. I recommend this book by Sellars and Gildiner’s book as well.
victoriafrost1991's review against another edition
5.0
Extremely well done!! I found Bev Sellars autobiography very engaging and insightful of her time at the Mission Residential School. Also, she is clear in stating that her life is different than other Indigenous people of experience through the Residential School system and her family life. For once, it is good to view different perspectives and experiences from various people to view how they were affected as well as their loved ones. Will gladly read more from Ms. Sellars.
lizardking_no1's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
thesadhen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Violence
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book might be similar to [b:Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools: A Memoir|9462473|Broken Circle The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools A Memoir|Theodore Fontaine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462903835l/9462473._SY75_.jpg|14347391] but although the experiences of both authors were similar, Sellars' writing was more descriptive. She recalled specific examples from her time at residential schools that specifically detailed all of the horrors of her experiences.
The injustice, cruelty, humiliation, and shame produced by the administration of her Catholic residential school was inhumane. I received a better understanding of the generational trauma that has been inflicted on the first nations people. Sellars detailed 3 generations worth of trauma within her family at this particular residential school. Just the sheer amount of trauma Sellers' grandmother and family went through with 8/9 of her children seeing early deaths that were related to their experiences in residential school as well as the discrimination and insults that had accumulated throughout their lives.
This was not an easy read, especially since at the time of the book's writing, nothing substantial was done to address the trauma the British Columbian government had inflicted on the tribes within its realm and the total lack of remorse, goodwill, or attempt to ameliorate relations was appalling.
The injustice, cruelty, humiliation, and shame produced by the administration of her Catholic residential school was inhumane. I received a better understanding of the generational trauma that has been inflicted on the first nations people. Sellars detailed 3 generations worth of trauma within her family at this particular residential school. Just the sheer amount of trauma Sellers' grandmother and family went through with 8/9 of her children seeing early deaths that were related to their experiences in residential school as well as the discrimination and insults that had accumulated throughout their lives.
This was not an easy read, especially since at the time of the book's writing, nothing substantial was done to address the trauma the British Columbian government had inflicted on the tribes within its realm and the total lack of remorse, goodwill, or attempt to ameliorate relations was appalling.
jaklyn_heath_reads's review against another edition
*not rated as this is a memoir and I find it unfair to rate someone’s own words about their life and experiences
samjunipero's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly informative and appalling. I didn't have much knowledge of residential schools and this book gives a compelling insight into what happened. It is horrifying and heart-wrenching. A must read.
cathsgraphs's review against another edition
5.0
More essential reading for anyone who truly wants to understand the myriad of gut wrenching acts of genocide and brutality inflicted and continue to be inflicted on First Nations peoples in North America.