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They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School by Bev Sellars
lizardking_no1's review against another edition
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.
livlemons4015's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book start to finish on my ferry ride from Tsawassen to Victoria. I never put it down. I had always been interested to learn more about this horribly dark time in Canadian history that never gets spoken about, and this book gave me more insight than I could have imagined. It was fascinating in the most awful way, making me feel ashamed, horrified and heartbroken for every person who had to go through a residential school and the aftermath that followed them. This book should be mandatory read in the social studies curriculum and then some; A must read for every Canadian.
jocepatey's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
rawly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
The things our own government did to the Indigenous people is absolutely disgusting, very well written.
The things our own government did to the Indigenous people is absolutely disgusting, very well written.