'We’re not going to be walking around in the dark anymore,' says founder, Cowichan Tribes Elder and survivor Linda Jack.
The first day in The Literacy Circle, a new Indigenous Elders’ literacy program at Vancouver Island University, meant a new experience for Elder student ‘U’nihi-ya (Catherine) Jim: For the first time, she felt encouraged to pursue her education.
“[Years ago] I went back to school and did some upgrading, and when I was doing that, the instructor told me that he didn’t think I was ever going to amount to anything except being a housekeeper. And that discouraged me, so I quit,” she says.
“I’ve always been discouraged by the words that people have said to
me when I did try to go back [to school]. And right here, it’s like,
‘We’re here to support you.’ Wow. I’ve never heard that,” says Jim, who
is a day school survivor from Cowichan Tribes and is currently
undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
GOOD READ: At this Indigenous Elders' literacy circle, survivors find healing
This story shares information about residential “schools.” The
Indian Residential School Survivor Society’s Crisis Line can be reached
any time at 1-866-925-4419.
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