Book on residential school survivors launches in Sault Ste. Marie

The author of a book detailing the experiences of residential school survivors is hoping their stories of resilience will reach Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

The author of a book detailing the experiences of residential school survivors is hoping their stories of resilience will reach Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. April 30/23 (Mike McDonald/CTV Northern Ontario)

After two previous attempts were thwarted by the pandemic, 'Mnidoo Bemaasing Bemaadiziwin – Reclaiming, Reconnecting & Demystifying Resiliency as Life Force Energy for Residential School Survivors' was officially launched at a gathering of local residential school survivors in Sault Ste. Marie.

"I interviewed 13 of them about if they thought they were resilient and what were the different strategies and techniques that they employed to continue to make it through residential school," said Dr. Theresa Turmel, a member of Michipicoten First Nation.

The book took her more than 25 years to complete.

She said she believes all Canadians can learn from the book, but she admits it might be hard to process.

"Some people find it difficult to read, but I think everyone should really know exactly what happened to our people and these schools," Turmel said.

"The survivors don't hold back. They tell you exactly what happened to them, what affected them, what still affects them today." 

If you are a former residential school student in distress, or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous Peoples are available here.