Caldwell First Nation Chief Louise Hillier says her band wasn't directly impacted by residential schools, but the fear was always there.
HIllier made the comments while reacting to a damning report into the history of residential schools. "I think the fact that all of these children were stripped of their identity, what country does that to their children? What country allows that to happen?"
She says Caldwell members attended public school, but were in constant fear of being taken out and sent to a residential school.
According to Hillier, kids refrained from speaking their language and discussing ceremonies because of worries they'd be reported to Indian Affairs.
The report refers to residential schools jointly run by the government and churches as an attempt at cultural genocide against the First Nation's people.
