Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

November is Native American Heritage Month in the US and conveniently we had a book chosen for 2023 about the experience of a First Nations chief from Canada, Bev Sellars. In They Called Me Number One she chronicles her own experience in a church-run residential school and that of her mother and grandmother. The book is under 250 pages, for anyone who is interested. This history is often glossed over in public education, despite the US and Canadian governments both forcing indigenous children into schools that were essentially meant to assimilate them into western societal ways. Please remember that the history is not from long ago, as Bev Sellars is still living and in her late 60s.

For more info about Native American Heritage Month: https://www.nativeamericanheritagemon...

For info about US practices, explore here: https://boardingschoolhealing.org/

For more info about the Canadian practices, explore "The Residential School System" under "Government Policy" on this website: https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ub...

Please remember to be respectful of all topics relating to this book's contents and indigenous peoples. Thank you to our members for keeping this a friendly, welcoming group.

I found this book on Hoopla and added it to my TBR for 2024. I don’t think I will have time to read it this year but I might! It sounds like one I would like. I just finished Witness Blanket: Truth, Art, and Reconciliation by Carey Newman. The Witness Blanket is a traveling art exhibition that recognizes the atrocities of the Indian Residential Schools era, honors the children and symbolizes ongoing reconciliation. It includes at least one item from each of the schools with more than 800 items from 77 communities. The book describes the process of creating the exhibit and includes some of the personal stories. I found it fascinating and would love to see the exhibit. I’ve also read the novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. This book was my first exposure to the Indian Residential Schools. It’s one of my favorite books but so heart-breaking to learn this history and surprising how long it was allowed to continue!

Thank you for mentioning Hoopla, Pam! I also found the book on there last night and wanted to inform anyone whose library uses hoopla that it's available there as an ebook. I'd love to read the book this month, but having so little free time right now, I do not foresee that happening. I'll see.

I knew about the horrific residential schools issue from watching the movie Indian Horse, based on the novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese but I honestly have to admit I was under the (incorrect) impression that it was a problem far in the past that was long since eliminated. Color me embarrassed for that assumption. Thank you so much for having this book on our reading list!

Oh, and I got it from the library, but had to order it to be transferred in from another branch - the nearest copy was at a branch 85 miles away - which is as bad as it sounds, since the State Capitol (Sacramento) is only 30 miles away. We Californians are not as enlightened as we want everyone to believe.

ForesetGardenGal, the past is often not as far "past" as we like to think. The events of WWII are not even 100 years in our past. I've known of people who live here in southern Louisiana that saw Cajun French be barred from being spoken in schools, and I think that was only back in the mid-20th century. Today, Louisiana highlights its Cajun French and Creole heritage. How times change.

I hope you get this book soon! If not, no worries. The thread will stay open for a while longer.

OOP, I saw in our 800k page challenge that you've finished it. Please let us know what you thought, when you can!

I think she was incredibly strong to publish such a personal story. And wow, what a story. My review is here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...