We Were Children
2012For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various Christian faiths. There were 80 of these 'residential schools' across the country. Most children were sent to faraway schools that separated them from their families and traditional land. These children endured brutality, physical hardship, mental degradation, and the complete erasure of their culture. The schools were part of a wider program of assimilation designed to integrate the native population into 'Canadian society.' These schools were established with the express purpose 'To kill the Indian in the child.' Told through their own voices, 'We Were Children' is the shocking true story of two such children: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart.
Acted in
Lyna Hart
as Self
Ross McMillan
as Father Y
Glen Anaquod
as Self
Alicia Hamelin
as Lyna (4 Yrs Old)
Jade Hamelin
as Lyna (10 Yrs Old)
Jennie Morin
as Lyna (18 Yrs Old)
Rebecca Gibson
as Sister Mary
Rene Batson
as Glen (6-7 Yrs Old)
Brun Montour
as Glen (12 Yrs Old)
Justin Ducharme
as Glen (18 Yrs Old)
Justin Courchene
as Glen (Adult)
Tyrone Brooks
as Glen's Cousin (6-7 Yrs Old)
Rachel Seenie
as Glen's Aunt
Glenn Cochrane
as Lyna's Grandfather
Fawnda Neckoway
as Lyna's Mother
Maggie Nagle
as Sister 1
Shawney Moar
as Girl at Sink
Kohl Bohemier
as Cree Speaking Altar Boy
Tasha Weight
as Supervisor
Robert Kostyra
as Black Robe Priest
John B. Lowe
as Deputy Minister
Curtis Moore
as Father X
Jon Ted Wynne
as Inspector
Kayla Contois-Moar
as Virginia
Kristen Harris
as Saskatchewan Nun
Carlos Swampy
as Timothy
Daina Leitold
as Sister Margaret
Jeff Skinner
as Principal - Saskatchewan
Janelle McPherson
as Sewing Girl
Rivers Thomas
as Second Boy
Darcy Fehr
as Glen's Teacher (Priest)
Lois Brothers
as Glen's Teacher
Ashley Hirt
as Nurse
Darren Felbel
as Priest - Saskatchewan
Ramsey Bruce
as Glen's Cousin (12 Yrs Old)
Alice Dano
as Nun 1