Most people do not fully understand the trauma and pain that resulted from thousands of children who were separated from their parents and placed in mission residential schools by the Canadian government in the 19th and 20th centuries. There are more than 80,000 Aborigines who lived in these institutions and are still alive today.

Alice Blondin-Perrin, the author of “My Heart Trembled Like a Drum” was just four years old when she was separated from most of her family members and placed at St. Joseph’s Mission School in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories. Her book describes the experiences and abuse she encountered during the years in which Canadian law forced her to live in four different residential schools and the negative effects that have plagued her as a result.

Ms. Blondin was born into a Dene family who lived in Cameron Bay in the Northwest Territories. His parents, who had several children, were highly respected people who worked hard and practiced traditional native ways of hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, and living off the land. They were hardy people who were used to living in freezing temperatures. But their daughter never had the chance to learn all of these skills from them growing up.

The Canadian government had the view that it was best for Native children to live in residential schools run by Christian organizations to receive an education. However, the native perspective was that children and families were at an extreme disadvantage as they wasted time together, as well as things like the language, culture and practices of their heritage that constituted their identity.

In addition to the devastating situation of being away from family and community, the children suffered from the very abusive Gray Nun supervisors who were in charge of the schools.

Ms. Blondin often got into trouble because she did not understand the languages ​​spoken by the nuns. She was punished when she spoke her mother tongue or did not respond to the English or French spoken to her.

In addition to physical and mental abuse, the children in these boarding schools were often victims of sexual abuse.

Many of the children were trapped in dysfunctional patterns that affected the rest of their lives. Some committed suicide. Others suffered from mental illness or addictions.

In addition to living at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Mission School in Fort Resolution, Ms. Blondin was also a resident at Federal Hostels at Breynat Hall in Fort Smith, Lapointe Hall in Fort Simpson, and Akaitcho Hall in Yellowknife. His story, therefore, offers a perspective of those children who lived in different environments but under the same mandate.

It has been several decades since Ms. Blondin was discharged and returned to her family. Since then, she has invested in herself in her attempts to regain her spirituality and ethnic customs. She has fought not only to forgive the Canadian government and the Catholic Church, but also to help others on their healing journeys.

Residential schools began operating in 1840 and closed in the 1970s and 1980s, but the negative effects on the children who lived there have consequences for generations to come. Therefore, it is necessary to understand not only the problems and how they occurred, but also the most effective ways to solve the problems and generate positive change.

“My Heart Trembled Like a Drum” is a very sad story that offers both a personal and historical insight into a phenomenon that is now recognized as a parody. Indeed, the Prime Minister, the Governor General and the Pope have formally apologized for the horrible practices that led so many to feel ashamed of their culture and language. But apologies are not enough to bring about a cure and therefore organizations have been formed to ensure that resources are available to assist with the cure.

I recommend this book as it is a must read for anyone who wants to learn from history while trying to build a healthy future for themselves and others.