Survivor voices
The Centre works towards ethical and culturally-informed partnerships with Indigenous communities and peoples to sustain respectful, long-term relationships with Survivors, Intergenerational Survivors, and Indigenous communities. Part of this work is to share stories from Survivors and honour their experiences.
“Larry was a residential school Survivor, one of a group of outspoken grassroots voices who wanted the world to know the hidden history of residential schools…Before his death in 2016 at the age of 82, Larry decided to donate his research collection to the IRSHDC. He knew that his life story, professional history, and his extensive research on residential schools (including survivor interviews, academic research, files, photos, and photo research) would be treated with respect and made available to inspire future generations.”
Larry Loyie and Constance Brissenden Collection
Award-winning Cree author Larry Loyie was determined to inform the world about Indigenous history, culture, and traditions through his writing. His plays, children’s books, and national history, Residential Schools, With the Words and Images of Survivors, confirmed his important legacy of “books by us, and about us.” The IRSHDC is currently processing the Larry Loyie and Constance Brissenden archive.
Our stories, our strength
The Legacy of Hope Foundation traveled across Canada recording the stories of residential school Survivors, between 2004 and 2008. A selection of Survivor stories from this collection have been made available to view and to listen to through a partnership with the Legacy of Hope Foundation.