Indian School Days

Indian School Days chronicles Basil Johnston's experiences at a residential school for Indigenous children in northern Ontario during the 1940s. The memoir recounts his time at St. Peter Claver's School for Indian Boys, where he was sent at age ten along with his sister. The narrative follows Johnston's years at the institution, depicting daily routines, relationships between students, and interactions with the Jesuit priests who ran the school. Through specific incidents and observations, Johnston documents both the harsh conditions and moments of resilience among the students. The book offers details about education, discipline, sports, and social dynamics at the residential school, balancing darker aspects with accounts of friendship and survival. Johnston's straightforward prose style and use of humor create a layered portrayal of this period in his life. This memoir serves as both a historical record and a personal testimony about Canada's residential school system, exploring themes of cultural identity, institutional power, and childhood adaptation in the face of forced assimilation.

Readers found Johnston's memoir offers an intimate look at residential school life from a student's perspective, balancing serious subject matter with moments of humor and mischief. Many note it provides a more nuanced view compared to other residential school accounts. Liked: - Johnston's storytelling style and ability to find comedy amid hardship - Details about daily student life and relationships - Authentic portrayal of Indigenous youth maintaining spirit despite restrictions - Accessible writing for both teens and adults Disliked: - Some readers expected more focus on trauma and abuse - Structure can feel episodic rather than cohesive - Limited exploration of broader historical context - Title misleads some into thinking it's about India Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (243 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (31 ratings) Reader quote: "Johnston shows how students created their own community and found ways to resist through humor and small acts of defiance, while still acknowledging the system's fundamental wrongs." - Goodreads reviewer

The Education of Augie Merasty by Joseph Auguste Merasty A firsthand account of life in a Canadian residential school reveals experiences parallel to Johnston's narrative of cultural displacement and institutional control.

My Name Is Seepeetza by Shirley Sterling The diary-format story chronicles a young Indigenous girl's experiences at a Canadian residential school during the 1950s, reflecting similar themes of cultural suppression and resilience found in Johnston's memoir.

Orange Shirt Day by Phyllis Webstad This personal testimony of residential school survival connects to Johnston's narrative through shared experiences of institutional life and cultural disconnection.

They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellars The memoir presents a Chief's daughter's journey through residential school, documenting institutional experiences that mirror Johnston's account of survival and perseverance.

Up Ghost River by Edmund Metatawabin, Alexandra Shimo This account of residential school survival and healing follows themes of cultural identity and institutional trauma that align with Johnston's experiences at Spanish Indian Residential School.

🔖 Author Basil Johnston attended Spanish Indian Residential School—the same institution he writes about—from 1939 to 1950, giving his narrative unique authenticity and firsthand perspective. 📚 Despite the serious subject matter, Johnston weaves humor throughout the book, using wit to cope with difficult memories and make the story more accessible to readers. 🏫 The Spanish Indian Residential School was part of a larger system of 139 residential schools across Canada, operating between 1831 and 1996. ✍️ Basil Johnston went on to become one of Canada's most respected Indigenous authors and linguists, publishing over 15 books in English and Ojibway, and receiving the Order of Ontario. 🗣️ The book was published in 1988, making it one of the earlier published personal accounts of residential school experiences, helping pave the way for other survivors to share their stories.