Description
Written by Melody Dumas and Diane Powderhorn. Melody Dumas’ father is from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and her mother is from the Garden Hill First Nation. She is a wife, mother, and granny to twelve grandchildren. Growing up in Cormorant, Manitoba, she enjoyed a childhood filled with land-based teachings and family. She is currently an instructional resource analyst at MFNERC. Diane Powderhorn was born in Churchill, Manitoba, to Simon and Robina Duck. She speaks, reads, and writes in the Sayisi Dene language. Diane identifies as a relocation survivor and a residential school survivor. She works as an instructional resource developer at MFNERC and is proud to write educational books and resources in her language.
Geared to middle school ages, students will learn about residential schools through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy taken to his first year at residential school. The boy talks of living the good life before residential school, being forced to go to a school far from home, having appalling experiences at residential school, and then returning home for the summer as a changed young boy.
They Have Papers is part of the Residential School Bundle: Each book is aimed at a different age group, so children, youth, and teens can gently explore this challenging topic. Our Residential Schools and Walk in Our maskisina are also part of this series.