We Were Children

The narrative unfolds mainly in the 1950s to the mid-1960s, focusing on Indigenous children sent to residential schools. It references earlier policies from the late 19th century and situates the events within a broader history of cultural suppression, leading up to later acknowledgment and apology efforts, including the 2008 apology by the Canadian government.

The film is set in Canada within Christian-run residential schools, primarily in Saskatchewan. It depicts large dormitory campuses where hundreds of Indigenous children were taken to assimilate, often far from home. The setting emphasizes strict religious routines, language suppression, and an atmosphere of confinement central to the trauma explored in the story.

🕯️ Trauma

The film documents deep emotional and physical trauma from abuse, neglect, and forced assimilation in residential schools. It shows how memories of these experiences persist into adulthood and shape family dynamics and identity. The trauma is presented as intergenerational, affecting multiple generations of Indigenous families.

🗺️ Colonialism

Residential schools are depicted as tools of colonial policy aimed at erasing Indigenous languages, cultures, and identities. The narrative ties personal suffering to broader institutional systems that prioritized assimilation over well-being. The legacy of oppression is framed as a continuing wound for communities.

🌟 Resilience

Despite brutal conditions, survivors preserve memory, family bonds, and cultural continuity. The stories highlight acts of courage, small acts of resistance, and the enduring hope of reconnecting with home and ancestors. The film also emphasizes communal healing and the path toward recognition and reconciliation.