when we were alone pdf
When We Were Alone: A Comprehensive Exploration
When We Were Alone, a poignant picture book, explores intergenerational trauma and resilience, offering a gentle entry point into a difficult history for young readers;
This exceptional story, beautifully illustrated, serves as a powerful conversation starter about Canadian residential schools and their lasting impact on Indigenous families.
The narrative delicately addresses attempts to erase cultural identity, including language, hair, and clothing, while emphasizing empowerment and strength through storytelling.
When We Were Alone, penned by David A. Robertson and illustrated by Julie Flett, is a deeply moving picture book published in 2016, quickly gaining recognition for its sensitive portrayal of a difficult chapter in Canadian history.
The story unfolds through the inquisitive eyes of a young girl, seeking to understand her grandmother’s past and the reasons behind seemingly unusual behaviors – covering her hair, speaking softly, and a general sense of quietude.
This exquisite book isn’t simply a recounting of historical events; it’s a tender exploration of love, resilience, and the enduring bond between a grandmother and granddaughter. It’s a rare and beautiful offering, shining with truth and dignity.
The narrative gently introduces the realities of residential schools to young audiences, making it a valuable resource for educators and families alike, and quickly became a Canadian best seller.
Historical Context: Canadian Residential Schools
Canadian residential schools operated for over 150 years, beginning in the 1830s, as a system designed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. These schools, largely run by churches and funded by the government, forcibly removed children from their families and communities.
Within these institutions, Indigenous languages and cultural practices were suppressed, often through punishment. Children were forbidden to speak their native tongues, practice traditional ceremonies, or maintain their cultural identities, including hairstyles and clothing.
When We Were Alone subtly yet powerfully reflects these systemic attempts at cultural genocide. The grandmother’s experiences mirror the universal experiences of children in these schools, highlighting the trauma inflicted and the lasting intergenerational effects.
Understanding this historical context is crucial for appreciating the book’s depth and its importance as a tool for reconciliation and education.
The Author: David A. Robertson
David A. Robertson is an award-winning author of Cree heritage, celebrated for his impactful contributions to children’s and young adult literature. He skillfully blends storytelling with important social issues, making complex topics accessible to young readers.
Robertson’s work often centers on Indigenous experiences, identity, and resilience, aiming to foster understanding and reconciliation. He is known for his graphic novels, novels, and picture books, consistently earning critical acclaim and awards.
When We Were Alone exemplifies his ability to address difficult history with sensitivity and grace. His writing is described as “soft” yet profoundly moving, conveying the weight of the past while offering a message of hope.
Robertson’s dedication to amplifying Indigenous voices and promoting cultural awareness makes him a vital voice in contemporary literature.
The Illustrator: Julie Flett
Julie Flett is a highly acclaimed Cree-Métis illustrator known for her distinctive and evocative artwork. Her illustrations beautifully complement David A. Robertson’s narrative in When We Were Alone, enhancing the story’s emotional depth and cultural significance.
Flett’s style is characterized by its simplicity, gentle color palettes, and incorporation of traditional Indigenous motifs. She skillfully uses visual storytelling to convey the nuances of the grandmother’s experiences and the granddaughter’s curiosity.
Her work is described as “exquisite and stunning,” powerfully conveying emotions through imagery. The illustrations are integral to the book’s success, creating a haunting and poetic atmosphere.
Flett’s artistic contributions elevate the book, making it a visually captivating and emotionally resonant experience for readers of all ages.
Understanding the Narrative
When We Were Alone unfolds through a granddaughter’s inquisitive questions, revealing her grandmother’s poignant experiences at residential school and cultural resilience.
The Core Relationship: Grandmother and Granddaughter
The heart of When We Were Alone lies in the tender and inquisitive bond between a young girl and her grandmother. This relationship serves as the primary vehicle for exploring the difficult history of Canadian residential schools, offering a safe space for intergenerational dialogue.
The granddaughter’s persistent questioning – “Why does your hair look like that?” or “Why don’t you speak your language anymore?” – isn’t born of judgment, but genuine curiosity and a desire to understand her grandmother’s past.
The grandmother, in turn, responds with gentle explanations, carefully revealing fragments of her experiences, acknowledging the pain while simultaneously emphasizing resilience and the enduring power of cultural identity. This dynamic creates a deeply moving portrayal of love, healing, and the importance of remembering.
It’s a relationship built on trust and a shared desire to connect across generations, making the story accessible and emotionally resonant for young readers.
The Girl’s Curiosity and Questions
The narrative’s driving force is the young girl’s unwavering curiosity and her direct, innocent questions directed towards her grandmother. These inquiries aren’t accusatory, but rather stem from a child’s natural desire to understand the differences she observes.
Her questions about her grandmother’s braided hair, the absence of her language, and the unfamiliar clothing act as catalysts for revealing the painful history of residential schools. The girl’s persistent probing gently encourages her grandmother to share her experiences.
This approach makes the complex topic accessible to young children, framing it not as a distant historical event, but as a personal story connected to her family. The questions demonstrate a child’s innate ability to notice and question injustice, fostering empathy and understanding.
Ultimately, her curiosity embodies a hopeful spirit, seeking connection and knowledge rather than perpetuating silence.
Symbolism of Cultural Elements
Throughout When We Were Alone, specific cultural elements are powerfully employed as symbols of identity and resistance against forced assimilation. The grandmother’s braided hair, a significant aspect of Cree culture, represents a deliberate act of defiance when she chooses to braid it again.
Similarly, the loss and eventual reclaiming of the Cree language symbolize the suppression of Indigenous voices and the importance of cultural preservation. Traditional clothing, stripped away at the schools, embodies a connection to heritage and belonging.
These elements aren’t merely details; they are potent reminders of what was taken from Indigenous children and families. Their re-emergence signifies healing, resilience, and a commitment to honoring ancestral traditions.
The book subtly yet effectively demonstrates how cultural practices are integral to individual and collective identity.
Braided Hair as Resistance
The depiction of braided hair in When We Were Alone carries profound symbolic weight, representing a powerful act of resistance against the forced assimilation policies of residential schools. Cutting a child’s hair was a common practice intended to strip them of their identity and culture, severing ties to their heritage.
The grandmother’s decision to braid her hair again, after having it cut at the school, is a reclaiming of self and a visible assertion of her Cree identity. It’s a quiet but defiant statement of cultural pride and resilience.
This simple act, beautifully illustrated, communicates the enduring strength of Indigenous traditions and the determination to maintain cultural connections despite systemic oppression. The braid becomes a symbol of unbroken spirit.
It visually embodies the reclaiming of dignity and self-worth.
The Significance of Language
Language is central to cultural identity, and its suppression was a key component of the residential school system’s attempt to assimilate Indigenous children. In When We Were Alone, the grandmother’s lost ability to speak her native Cree language represents a profound loss – a severing of connection to her heritage, family, and spiritual beliefs.
The granddaughter’s curiosity about the “words you keep hidden” highlights the intergenerational impact of this linguistic suppression. The grandmother’s reluctance to share, initially, speaks to the pain and trauma associated with that loss.
However, the story subtly emphasizes the importance of language revitalization and the power of reclaiming one’s mother tongue. It’s a reminder that language carries within it a culture’s history, values, and worldview.
The book gently encourages preserving and celebrating Indigenous languages.
Traditional Clothing and Identity
Traditional clothing, like language and braided hair, served as a visible marker of Indigenous identity, and its removal was a deliberate act of cultural erasure within the residential school system. When We Were Alone acknowledges this through the grandmother’s recollections of having her clothing taken away.
This act wasn’t merely about changing appearance; it was about stripping children of their heritage and forcing conformity. The granddaughter’s questions about why her grandmother no longer wears traditional clothing open a dialogue about this painful history.
The story subtly conveys that clothing isn’t simply fabric, but a tangible expression of cultural belonging and ancestral connection. It represents pride, artistry, and a link to previous generations.
Reclaiming and celebrating traditional clothing is a powerful act of resistance and cultural revitalization.
Themes and Messages
When We Were Alone powerfully conveys intergenerational trauma, cultural preservation, resilience, and the vital role of storytelling in healing and remembering difficult histories.
Intergenerational Trauma and Healing
When We Were Alone delicately portrays the lasting impact of residential schools, showcasing how trauma is carried across generations within Indigenous families. The book doesn’t shy away from the pain of cultural loss and forced assimilation, but presents it through a child’s innocent curiosity.
The grandmother’s quiet resilience, revealed through her granddaughter’s questions, demonstrates the strength required to survive and rebuild after profound hardship. This narrative subtly highlights how trauma can manifest as silence or unspoken stories, and the importance of creating safe spaces for sharing.
Ultimately, the book emphasizes that healing is possible through connection, remembrance, and the reclaiming of cultural identity, offering a hopeful message about breaking cycles of trauma and fostering understanding.
Cultural Identity and Preservation
When We Were Alone powerfully illustrates the deliberate attempts to dismantle Indigenous cultural identity within residential schools, focusing on the suppression of language, traditional clothing, and spiritual practices. The story highlights how these elements are not merely superficial, but deeply intertwined with a sense of self and belonging.
The grandmother’s memories, triggered by her granddaughter’s observations, reveal the significance of seemingly simple things like braided hair as acts of resistance and cultural preservation. The book underscores the importance of maintaining and passing down ancestral knowledge and traditions.
Through this intimate portrayal, When We Were Alone champions the resilience of Indigenous cultures and the vital need to protect and celebrate them for future generations, fostering pride and understanding.
Resilience and Strength in the Face of Adversity
When We Were Alone doesn’t shy away from the pain and trauma inflicted by the residential school system, yet it ultimately centers on the remarkable resilience and inner strength of those who endured it. The grandmother’s quiet dignity and ability to share her story, despite the hardship, exemplify this fortitude.
The narrative demonstrates how cultural identity, even when suppressed, can remain a source of power and healing. The granddaughter’s curiosity and loving connection with her grandmother become a catalyst for reclaiming and celebrating their heritage.
This book is an exceptional story, showcasing the enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples and their capacity to overcome adversity, offering a message of hope and empowerment to readers of all ages.
The Importance of Storytelling
When We Were Alone powerfully illustrates the vital role of storytelling in preserving cultural memory and fostering intergenerational healing. The grandmother’s sharing of her experiences, though painful, is presented as an act of strength and a way to connect with her granddaughter.
Through narrative, the book allows for a safe and accessible exploration of a difficult history, making it possible for young children to begin understanding the impact of residential schools. It emphasizes that stories hold the power to educate, empathize, and ultimately, to empower.
This exceptional story demonstrates how sharing personal narratives can break cycles of silence and contribute to a more just and reconciled future, honoring the resilience of those who came before.
Critical Reception and Awards
When We Were Alone garnered widespread acclaim, becoming a Canadian best seller and receiving recognition for its poignant portrayal of a difficult history.
Highlighted by Horn Book Magazine, the book was praised for its beauty, truth, and dignity, resonating deeply with readers of all ages.
Positive Reviews and Recognition
When We Were Alone has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, celebrated for its sensitive and accessible approach to a challenging topic; Critics consistently praise the book’s ability to initiate important conversations about the Canadian residential school system with young children, offering a “safe, gentle” starting point.
Reviewers describe the narrative as “quiet,” “beautiful,” and “haunting,” emphasizing its power to convey profound emotions with grace and dignity. The story is lauded for being both “painful” and “shining with truth,” effectively balancing historical weight with a message of hope and resilience.
Many highlight the book’s success in portraying universal experiences of children in residential schools, including the forced alteration of cultural markers like hair, clothing, and language. It’s consistently recognized as an “exceptional story” and a vital contribution to children’s literature, promoting awareness and understanding.
Best Seller Status in Canada
When We Were Alone has achieved remarkable commercial success, consistently appearing on Canadian best-seller lists for several weeks. This widespread popularity demonstrates a significant public appetite for literature addressing the history of Indigenous peoples and the legacy of residential schools.
The book’s strong sales figures indicate its resonance with readers across the country, signifying a growing desire to engage with difficult truths and foster reconciliation. Its presence on best-seller lists has helped to amplify its message and reach a broader audience, including educators and families.
This achievement is particularly noteworthy for a picture book tackling such a sensitive subject, highlighting its exceptional quality and the importance of its narrative. The sustained success underscores the book’s value as a valuable resource for learning and understanding.
Horn Book Magazine Feature
When We Were Alone received significant recognition from Horn Book Magazine, a highly respected publication in the field of children’s literature. This feature served as a crucial endorsement of the book’s literary merit and its sensitive handling of a complex historical topic.
The Horn Book’s coverage highlighted the book’s exquisite storytelling, praising both David A. Robertson’s poignant narrative and Julie Flett’s evocative illustrations. The review emphasized the power conveyed through the words and images, acknowledging the book’s ability to address difficult themes with grace and dignity.
This feature contributed to the book’s growing acclaim and helped to establish it as a significant contribution to children’s literature, broadening its reach and impact within the literary community and beyond.
Educational Applications
When We Were Alone is a safe, gentle, and effective tool for initiating crucial conversations about residential schools with young children in classrooms.
It seamlessly integrates into Social Studies and Language Arts curricula, fostering empathy and understanding of difficult historical events.
The book’s accessibility makes it ideal for addressing sensitive topics in an age-appropriate manner.
Using the Book as a Conversation Starter
When We Were Alone provides a uniquely accessible and emotionally resonant entry point for discussing the complex history of Canadian residential schools, particularly with younger audiences.
The book’s gentle narrative and evocative illustrations create a safe space for children to ask questions and explore difficult themes like cultural loss and intergenerational trauma.
Educators and parents can utilize the story to initiate conversations about the importance of respecting diverse cultures, languages, and traditions.
Focusing on the grandmother’s resilience and the granddaughter’s curiosity encourages empathy and understanding.
The book’s depiction of attempts to change children’s hair, clothing, and language offers opportunities to discuss the harmful effects of forced assimilation.
It’s a powerful tool for fostering reconciliation and promoting awareness of Indigenous experiences.
Addressing Difficult History with Young Children
When We Were Alone offers a sensitive and age-appropriate approach to introducing the challenging history of residential schools to young children, avoiding overwhelming detail while conveying essential truths.
The book’s poetic language and gentle illustrations help to soften the harsh realities, making the topic more approachable for sensitive learners.
It’s crucial to emphasize that the story represents a shared history and that these schools caused significant harm to Indigenous families and communities.
Adults should be prepared to answer children’s questions honestly and with empathy, acknowledging the pain and injustice of the past.
Focus on the themes of love, resilience, and the importance of preserving cultural identity to provide a hopeful counter-narrative.
This book serves as a valuable stepping stone for further learning and understanding.
Curriculum Integration: Social Studies and Language Arts
When We Were Alone lends itself beautifully to integration within Social Studies and Language Arts curricula, fostering critical thinking and empathy in students.
In Social Studies, the book provides a concrete example for discussions about Canadian history, Indigenous cultures, and the impact of colonization.
Students can research residential schools further, exploring primary sources and diverse perspectives.
Language Arts activities can focus on analyzing the author’s use of symbolism, imagery, and narrative structure to convey complex emotions.
Creative writing prompts could encourage students to explore themes of family, identity, and resilience through their own storytelling.
Analyzing the illustrations by Julie Flett offers opportunities to discuss visual literacy and cultural representation.
The Book’s Impact
When We Were Alone powerfully raises awareness about residential schools, fostering empathy and understanding while offering a poetic, haunting narrative for all ages.
The book empowers through narrative, providing a safe space to discuss difficult history and celebrate Indigenous strength and resilience.
Empowerment and Strength Through Narrative
When We Were Alone distinguishes itself by presenting a difficult historical truth – the Canadian residential school system – through a lens of love, resilience, and ultimately, empowerment. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the pain and cultural suppression experienced by Indigenous children, but it frames these experiences within the loving relationship between a granddaughter and her grandmother.
This approach allows young readers to engage with the topic in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner, fostering understanding rather than solely focusing on trauma. The story subtly highlights the strength of cultural identity and the importance of preserving language, traditions, and personal history.
By sharing her grandmother’s story, the young girl actively participates in reclaiming and celebrating her heritage, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, cultural identity can endure and thrive. The book’s impact lies in its ability to transform a painful past into a source of strength and a testament to the enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples.
Raising Awareness About Residential Schools
When We Were Alone serves as a crucial tool for introducing the history of Canadian residential schools to younger audiences, fostering awareness and promoting reconciliation. The book’s gentle and accessible narrative provides a safe entry point for conversations about a deeply sensitive and often overlooked part of Canadian history.
Its strength lies in its ability to convey the impact of these schools – the forced assimilation, the loss of language and culture, and the intergenerational trauma – without being overly graphic or frightening for young children. The story encourages empathy and understanding, prompting readers to consider the experiences of those affected.
By sparking dialogue and prompting further learning, When We Were Alone contributes to a broader societal understanding of the residential school system and its lasting consequences, paving the way for healing and a more just future;
A Poetic and Haunting Story for All Ages
When We Were Alone transcends typical children’s literature, offering a deeply moving and poetic exploration of a painful historical reality. The narrative’s haunting quality stems from its delicate balance of tenderness and sorrow, capturing the emotional weight of intergenerational trauma with remarkable sensitivity.
Julie Flett’s evocative illustrations amplify the story’s emotional resonance, creating a visual landscape that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The book’s lyrical prose and stunning artwork combine to create an immersive experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.
While geared towards young readers, When We Were Alone resonates with audiences of all ages, prompting reflection on themes of identity, resilience, and the importance of remembering the past. It’s a story that demands to be read and shared.
