They Called Me Number One

Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School

By: Bev Sellars

Narrated by: Bev Sellars

Like thousands of Aboriginal children in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere in the colonized world, Xatsu'll chief Bev Sellars spent part of her childhood as a student in a church-run residential school. These institutions endeavored to "civilize" Native children through Christian teachings; forced separation from family, language, and culture; and strict discipline. Perhaps the most symbolically potent strategy used to alienate residential school children was addressing them by assigned numbers only - not by the names with which they knew and understood themselves.

In this frank and poignant memoir of her years at St. Joseph's Mission, Sellars breaks her silence about the residential school's lasting effects on her and her family - from substance abuse to suicide attempts - and eloquently articulates her own path to healing. They Called Me Number One comes at a time of recognition - by governments and society at large - that only through knowing the truth about these past injustices can we begin to redress them.

Bev Sellars is chief of the Xatsu'll (Soda Creek) First Nation in Williams Lake, British Columbia. She holds a degree in history from the University of Victoria and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. She has served as an advisor to the British Columbia Treaty Commission.

©2013 Bev Sellars (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Every Canadian should read this

This was a powerful, heartbreaking, and heartwarming story. Bev tells her story with clarity and determination. She goes to pains to name the people who were kind as much as she names the abusers. She doesn’t flinch when describing tragedy caused by colonization, but she also tells ordinary stories of family love that will be familiar to every person who listens. I feel like her grandmother and mine had much in common, and I’ve never admired anyone more than my grandmother. This is ultimately a story of personal victory, and a call for meaningful collective action. I am so grateful to have listened to Bev’s story. It is the most important book I have purchased from Audible.

A moving story

A very sad history of how native children were abused and the tragic lasting effects. Bev's reading brought a very real history to light.

A truth that must be told.

This should be required reading for all schools. I was lucky, my grandmother saved me from the 60’s sweep. And I escaped the res, school experience, but my mother let slip some of her horrid experiences.

So grateful for this book

The author tells a raw story that is informative and moving. It paints a picture of historical trauma that puts you square in the middle of a family’s home. Bev is as wonderful a narrator as she is a writer. I am so grateful to her and so grateful to know about gram. Gram seemed like a hero to her family. A thread in the wind that refused to let go. She embodied the culture and strength of her community and she passed those traits onto Bev. I would recommend this book to anyone.

True story

Many of the stories Bev shares in this book are similar to the stories elders that have shared with us regarding boarding school life.

Exceptional

I don't normally write full reviews for books that I listen to, but I believe it is important for you to know that this book will always be in the back of my mind. It has completely changed my worldview on residential schools, challenges that indigenous people in Canada face, the social ills that surround them, and the pre-judgements on both the white side and the First Nation side. The author speaks with such clarity, wisdom, knowledge, and frankness that it is impossible to ignore the truth of what she's telling you.

Good Listen

loved it, couldn't stop listening. residential school era is what should be in the history books.

The history that should not be forgotten

What an amazing book not in what it was about. But the story and history of things that are swept under the rug.
This book will make you cryes. Let's book will make you feel things That should not be forgotten.
That is a heavy book and I, and I enjoyed it. Especially as Native American man. That's still learning about the atrocities that have been committed to the people. But my blood is talking and leading me to the stories and II think if you were to read this review, you need to know about this book too.

Authenticity

Living characters, felt emotions, true. Left me sad and then angry at what I was not taught in school.

loved it

thank you for sharing! sharing is healing for all as us indigenous people can relate and understand ther historical trauma in our own families