Holy Angels
Synopsis
Over 150,000 Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their families to attend residential schools in Canada, including Lena Wandering Spirit in 1963.
People
Synopsis
Lena Wandering Spirit recalls her childhood in a residential school in Canada, where she was taken from her family in 1963. The film features her memories of fear, isolation, and the harsh treatment she endured, including being scrubbed with lighter fluid and locked in a cupboard. Directed by Jay Cardinal Villeneuve, "Holy Angels" presents Lena's fragmented recollections alongside her longing for cultural connection and the joy of her grandmother's teachings. The documentary reflects on the lasting impact of these institutions on Indigenous communities.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See the harsh realities of residential school life.
- Meet a former student sharing her painful memories.
- Find out how cultural identity was suppressed.
- Discover the longing for family and tradition.
Did You Know
- The subject was taken from her mother at the age of seven.
- Children were assigned numbers, with the subject being number 34.
- The porridge served to the children sometimes contained worms.
- The subject recalls being locked in a cupboard and forgotten.
- The school environment was compared to being in jail.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the number assigned to the speaker?
The speaker was assigned the number 34.
What did the children have to eat at the school?
The children had to eat porridge that sometimes contained worms.
What did the speaker's grandmother teach her?
The speaker's grandmother taught her how to make dried fish and dried meat.
What are people saying?
Play More Like This
Explore Holy Angels
Where else to watch
Related Films
Is this your film?
If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.
Comments