Residential Schools: Teacher's Resource Guide: Grades 5-8

Based on real experiences of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Fatty Legs describes a young girl’s experience attending residential school and chronicles some of the hardships that she faced. Like some other children, she sought to learn how to read and actually wanted to attend residential school to learn, despite her father’s warnings. While she does learn to read, she is constantly hungry and is subjected to other abuse during her time at school.
Suggested Grade Levels: 2-5 (ages 7-10)

In this sequel to Fatty Legs Margaret returns to her family, who have since decided to move. Her family does meet her when she is dropped off by a ship but do not seem very happy to see her. She feels very much as if she is now an outsider and has largely forgotten her native language. She has also grown to dislike her peoples’ food and is forbidden contact with her best friend because her best friend’s mother does not want her speaking English. Her own mother is particularly cold to her, but would like her to teach her how to read and write. She maintains a strong bond with her father, who can still communicate with her because he too had attended residential school and learned English there. Just as she begins to re-learn her native customs and reconnect with her family, she is asked to return to school, this time with her two younger sisters. This time she is determined not to let her or her sisters forget their language and customs. This book provides an interesting perspective and shows that the real hardships experienced by children sent to residential schools did not end when they return home.
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-6 (ages 8-11)

Based on the story of the author’s grandmother, I Am Not A Number revolves around an 8 year-old Irene, an aboriginal girl, being removed from her house to go to residential school. At school, she refuses to use the number that has been assigned to her, continuing to use her given name instead. Coming home after her year at school, her parents decide not to send her back and they attempt to hide her from the government agent trying to send her back.
Suggested Grade Levels: 4-6 (ages 9-11)

No time to say goodbye provides a fictional account of the lives of 5 children sent to the Kuper Island Residential School. Though the account is fictional, it is based on interviews with survivors of the school. Despite their harsh reality, they find friendship and adventures along the way.
Suggested Grade Levels: 5-8 (ages 10-13)

Written in a simple autobiographical format, My Name Is Seepeetza is a fictionalized account chronicling the hardship and abuses experienced by a young woman in a British Columbian residential school.
Suggested Grade Levels: 5-8 (ages 10-13)

Using select quotes, newspaper articles, primary documents, photographs, and graphic short stories, UNeducation Volume 1, highlights prominent themes to deepen students understanding of residential schools – political events, cultural assimilation, colonial laws, and the legacy of the system are examined in a unique and visually stunning way.
Suggested Grade Levels: 8-12 (ages 13-18)

This book captures the story of the author’s last summer before he is sent to residential school. He experiences nature and enjoys the Cree culture with his family.
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-6 (ages 8-11)

This book provides a sequel to As Long As The Rivers Flow, following the author’s teenaged years. As he attends residential school for the last year he finds friendship and begins to stand up for what he believes in. Upon his return he initially has a tough time assimilating back into his native culture. He sets out on his own and has his own adventures.
Suggested Grade Levels: 3-6 (ages 8-11)