They Called Me Number One

They Called Me Number One is a memoir by Bev Sellars about her years at St. Joseph's Mission Residential School in British Columbia. Sellars recounts her experiences as a First Nations child who was removed from her family and community to attend the school in the 1960s. The narrative follows Sellars' journey through the residential school system, detailing the strict routines, harsh discipline, and cultural suppression she encountered. She describes the impact of this system not only on herself but also on her family members who attended similar schools in different decades. The book combines personal memories with historical context about Canadian residential schools and their effects on Indigenous communities. Sellars incorporates her grandmother's and mother's experiences at the same institution, spanning three generations. Through this memoir, Sellars examines themes of survival, cultural identity, and intergenerational trauma within Canada's residential school system. The work stands as a testament to Indigenous resilience and the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation.

Readers appreciate Sellars' straightforward, personal account of her experiences at St. Joseph's Mission Residential School. Many note the book helps them understand the residential school system's impact on Indigenous families through three generations. Readers highlight: - Clear, honest writing style without sensationalism - Balance of painful experiences with moments of resilience - Context about Indigenous culture and traditions - Detailed accounts of daily life at the school Common criticisms: - Some sections feel repetitive - A few readers wanted more details about certain events - Writing style can be basic at times Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Chapters/Indigo: 4.6/5 (50+ ratings) One reader noted: "This book opened my eyes to a part of Canadian history that was hidden from most of us." Another wrote: "Her courage in telling this story, and her ability to overcome, is remarkable."

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📚 Bev Sellars served as Chief of the Xat'sūll (Soda Creek) First Nation for 8 years, making her well-positioned to document both personal and community trauma from residential schools. 🏫 St. Joseph's Mission Residential School, where the book is set, operated from 1891 to 1981 in Williams Lake, British Columbia, making it one of the longest-running residential schools in Canada. 👵 Three generations of Sellars' family attended St. Joseph's Mission: her grandmother, her mother, and herself, providing a unique multi-generational perspective on the residential school system. 🎓 Despite the trauma she experienced, Sellars went on to earn a law degree and became the first person from her community to graduate from the University of Victoria's law school. 📖 The book's title comes from the dehumanizing practice of replacing students' names with numbers at residential schools - Sellars was assigned "Number One" during her time there.