We Were Children (2012)
For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various Christian faiths. There were 80 of these 'residential schools' across the country. Most children were sent to faraway schools that separated them from their families and traditional land. These children endured brutality, physical hardship, mental degradation, and the complete erasure of their culture. The schools were part of a wider program of assimilation designed to integrate the native population into 'Canadian society.' These schools were established with the express purpose 'To kill the Indian in the child.' Told through their own voices, 'We Were Children' is the shocking true story of two such children: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart.
Cast
- Lyna Hart - Self
- Ross McMillan - Father Y
- Glen Anaquod - Self
- Alicia Hamelin - Lyna (4 Yrs Old)
- Jade Hamelin - Lyna (10 Yrs Old)
- Jennie Morin - Lyna (18 Yrs Old)
- Rebecca Gibson - Sister Mary
- Rene Batson - Glen (6-7 Yrs Old)
- Brun Montour - Glen (12 Yrs Old)
- Justin Ducharme - Glen (18 Yrs Old)
Screenplay
Keywords
residential school, canadian history, indigenous peoples
Trailer
We Were Children TrailerFrequently Asked Questions
- What is We Were Children about?
- For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various Christian faiths. There were 80 of these 'residential schools' across the country. Most children were sent to faraway schools that separated them from their families and traditional land. These children endured brutality, physical hardship, mental degradation, and the complete erasure of their culture. The schools were part of a wider program of assimilation designed to integrate the native population into 'Canadian society.' These schools were established with the express purpose 'To kill the Indian in the child.' Told through their own voices, 'We Were Children' is the shocking true story of two such children: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart.
- Who directed We Were Children?
- We Were Children was directed by Tim Wolochatiuk.
- Who stars in We Were Children?
- We Were Children stars Lyna Hart, Ross McMillan, Glen Anaquod, Alicia Hamelin, Jade Hamelin, Jennie Morin.
- How long is We Were Children?
- We Were Children has a runtime of 1h 28m (88 minutes).
- What genre is We Were Children?
- We Were Children is a Documentary film.
- Where was We Were Children produced?
- We Were Children was produced in Canada.