Racism & Trauma

By finding the courage to share their experiences, abuse survivors can lessen their burden.

Verbal Abuse

The children are constantly threatened to be beaten or sent to the Iron Sister. The priests and nuns tell them that they will receive eternal agony if they are disobedient. (Wagamese 154)

Physical Abuse

When a child gives an incorrect answer, they are forced to turn to a wall, pull their pants down, bend over, and get whipped in front of the class. (Wagamese 152-153)

Sexual Abuse

Saul is sexually abused by Father Leboutilier at the residential school. The Father uses manipulation and entices Saul with hockey to prevent him from asserting himself. (Wagamese 361-362)

Racism was behind the motives of the residential school.

"To take the Indian out of the child" is their goal. "We are trying to kill the Indian from the child."

"At St.Jerome's we work to remove the Indian from our childern so that the blessings of the lord may be evidenced upon them" (Wagamese 72"

“We don’t eat with indians” (Wagamese 78)

The non-Indigenous fans often threw garbage at the Moose and called them names during the hockey games.

White team members frequently slashed, shoved, and body checked Saul during the game.

"When I turned around I came face to face with a boy who must have been about nine he spit against the glass" (Wagamese 204)