Writing Lives
Writing Lives: The Residential School Survivor Memoir Project
Writing Lives presents Indigenous and non-Indigenous students with a chance to deep dive into the personal narratives of individuals who experienced the atrocities of residential schools first-hand. Students are invited to be part of reconciliation in action by participating in a transformative experience that supports communities to heal from decades of trauma.
In the first semester, students read literature by Indigenous writers to learn about the history of colonization and contemporary Indigenous life. They hear from guest speakers and attend field trips as they begin to prepare to meet with Elders. In the second semester, students learn how to conduct interviews, transcribe stories, and start to draft and workshop the memoirs. The course wraps up with a closing ceremony, and the memoirs are given to the Elders to keep.
Part of Langara’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenizing its curriculum, this course allows First Nations, Inuit, and Métis survivors to speak and document their truth about a part of Canada’s past that has historically been kept out of the mainstream by colonial systems of power.
What students are saying
The Writing Lives course provided a thought-provoking, impactful personal experience. Once I gained the trust of the Survivors, they generously shared their memories and life stories. I had the honour of documenting their lives and amplifying their voices in their memoirs. By engaging empathetically, I established a genuine, meaningful relationship with each Elder, which I will forever cherish.
– Melissa Halford, former Writing Lives student
