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  • They Called Me Number One

  • Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School
  • Written by: Bev Sellars
  • Narrated by: Bev Sellars
  • Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (630 ratings)

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They Called Me Number One cover art

They Called Me Number One

Written by: Bev Sellars
Narrated by: Bev Sellars
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Publisher's Summary

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.

What listeners say about They Called Me Number One

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Thank You!

as I listened to this book, as a native women. I had a lot of "wow moments". my grandma was in a Residential school in Alberta. my Grandma had eight children when passed away as a baby and my dad was the only boy. as my dad grew up I feel like he's been through a lot and has taken out his anger on his children and I think it has a lot to do with his mother being in residential schools as well as his father so it's kind of like a domino effect. even though I never went to residential schools my dad was raised by someone that did and it has messed him up which has messed me up my only goal in life is to be the best mother that I can take my children and not let this affect my children today. trust me when I say it is very difficult because sometimes I see my dad and myself, however at least I can recognize that and take a breath and start again. this was a great eye opener to me I have learnt a lot and even though my family has suffered and is still suffering all I can do is have my children appreciate their elders an understanding of history and be proud of who they are mentally emotionally spiritually. this book is a really good lesson I recommended 100% people need to know how bad residential schools were and how it still affects us today.

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24 people found this helpful

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Important Canadian History

This is a story that should never have happened. Every Canadian should read this book.
Bev is a bit dry to listen to as a narrator, but I couldn’t leave the book alone. I felt all of her pains and understand her hate. I am so sad and upset that the Native People Of Canada went through this- Good on you Bev for rising to the top.
READ THIS BOOK.

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18 people found this helpful

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AMAZING

Bev Sellars is a magnificent storyteller. Her truth and passion left me many times with goosebumps and the feeling that I wish I knew her and her family. I can’t speak highly enough of her book. Masterpiece.

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13 people found this helpful

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A reality check for us Colonizing Canadians

I listened with difficulty as I struggle to come to terms with the darker side of my Canadian identity. This book and others like it MUST become part of the curriculum in our basic Canadian education!

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12 people found this helpful

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Every non-indigenous person living in Canada should listen/read.

This book will give perspective and break your heart. The author did an amazing job telling the story of her experience. Loved it and thankful for it.

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9 people found this helpful

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Amazing

As I sat and listened to her tell her own story I felt like I was actually sitting with her. you can hear the joy but also the pain in her voice as she recalls her life. I'm sorry this happened to you and so many others. thank you for sharing your story 🇨🇦💖

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5 people found this helpful

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Important Read

I purchased this book in order to understand what Canadian residential schools were truly like, and I feel that Bev Sellers conveyed her personal horrors thoughtfully. I think this an extremely well written book and would definitely recommend.

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5 people found this helpful

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Essential Canadian History

Through justified anger and compelled by truth, Bev walks us through 3 generations of destruction. At the hands of the Mission residential school in Williams Lake and the consequences of the Indian Act, her story is about victory despite the destruction.

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3 people found this helpful

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Shocking, eye-opening and moving

A shocking first hand account of life in a BC residential school over several generations, this book will crack your heart wide open. Informative and evocative, I think it should be mandatory reading in Canadian curriculum. Awareness and understanding are the beginnings of reconciliation.

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3 people found this helpful

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A memoir that every Canadian should hear.

This is less of an account of the author's experience at residential schools and more of a complete memoir looking at the systemic racism in Canada that First Nations People have/ had to face. I gave it 4 stars for the story because I had expected more written about her time at the school. That being said, it gives a more thorough understanding of what her people have to deal with.

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2 people found this helpful