Honours the survivors, the former students, who attended residential schools. Offers a first-person perspective of the residential school system in Canada, as it shares the memories of more than 70 survivors from across Canada as well as 125 archival and contemporary images (65 black & white photographs, 51 colour, some never before published). Expresses the truths about residential school experiences and honours the survivors. Along with the survivors voices, are the evocative, archival photographs provided by the Shingwauk Residential Schools Research Centre with the assistance of curator Krista McCracken. Begins with the moving introduction by Larry Loyie, and moves to seven chapters that explore the purpose of this school system; cultures and traditions; leaving home; life at school the half-day system; the dark side of the schools; friendship and laughter coping with a new life; changing world--the healing begins; and an afterword. A detailed, full colour map showing residential schools, timeline with key dates, glossary, and a helpful index (including names of survivors and schools).

A National history--cover.