a social justice program of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation

My heart shook like a drum: What I Learned at the Indian Mission Schools, Northwest Territories / Alice Blondin-Perrin

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Media Types:
  • Literature
  • Other
Languages:
  • English
  • French
Organization Name:
Borealis Press
School Community:
  • English
  • First Nations
  • Inuit
  • Metis
Human Rights Themes:
  • Discrimination
  • Health
  • Safety and Security
  • Belonging and Identity
  • Freedom of Expression
  • Freedom of Association
  • Religion
  • Education
  • Equity
  • Indigenous and Local Knowledge
  • Lifestyle and Consumption
  • Race, Culture, or Ethnicity
Imagineaction Themes:
  • Connect
  • Engage
  • Thrive
  • Lead

Teacher Resources

My Heart Shook Like a Drum (2009), by Alice Blondin-Perrin, is a true-life account of the author’s childhood experiences in the Canadian residential school system. Blondin-Perrin lived in Cameron Bay, Northwest Territories, with her family until she was taken away at the age of four and placed into the first of many residential schools. The book recounts her experiences of abuse at the hands of nuns in the schools and the suppression of her Dene language and culture. Blondin-Perrin details the journey to reclaim her Indigenous culture and overcome the pain of her time in the schools. Author: Blondin-Perrin, Alice ISBN: 978-0-88887-375-0

Subject Areas

Aboriginal Studies, French as a Second Language

Curriculum Links by Province / Territory

Province: Grades: Curriculum Link:
New Brunswick 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Alberta 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Northwest Territories 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Nova Scotia 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Ontario 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Prince Edward Island 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Québec 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Saskatchewan 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Yukon 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Manitoba 9, 10, 11, 12 None
British Columbia 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Newfoundland and Labrador 9, 10, 11, 12 None
Nunavut 9, 10, 11, 12 None