We Were Children backdrop
DOCUMENTARY . 2012 . 1h 28m . 7.2/10

We Were Children_

For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various Christian faiths. There were 80 of these 'residential schools' across the country. Most children were sent to faraway schools that separated them from their families and traditional land. These children endured brutality, physical hardship, mental degradation, and the complete erasure of their culture. The schools were part of a wider program of assimilation designed to integrate the native population into 'Canadian society.' These schools were established with the express purpose 'To kill the Indian in the child.' Told through their own voices, 'We Were Children' is the shocking true story of two such children: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart.

Starring Lyna Hart, Ross McMillan, Glen Anaquod
7.2/10
Rating
1h 28m
Runtime
2012
Year
Updated Feb 16, 2026
We Were Children poster

For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various Christian faiths. There were 80 of these 'residential schools' across the country. Most children were sent to faraway schools that separated them from their families and traditional land. These children endured brutality, physical hardship, mental degradation, and the complete erasure of their culture. The schools were part of a wider program of assimilation designed to integrate the native population into 'Canadian society.' These schools were established with the express purpose 'To kill the Indian in the child.' Told through their own voices, 'We Were Children' is the shocking true story of two such children: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart.

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DROPTHE_ GOSSIP

Cast
Lyna Hart stars as Self in We Were Children.
Lyna Hart →
Year context
We Were Children was released 14 years ago in 2012.
Overview
For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various C...
We Were Children is a Documentary film with a runtime of 1h 28m.

CAST (20)

LH
Lyna Hart
Self
RM
Ross McMillan
Father Y
GA
Glen Anaquod
Self
AH
Alicia Hamelin
Lyna (4 Yrs Old)
JH
Jade Hamelin
Lyna (10 Yrs Old)
JM
Jennie Morin
Lyna (18 Yrs Old)
Rebecca Gibson
Rebecca Gibson
Sister Mary
RB
Rene Batson
Glen (6-7 Yrs Old)
BM
Brun Montour
Glen (12 Yrs Old)
JD
Justin Ducharme
Glen (18 Yrs Old)
JC
Justin Courchene
Glen (Adult)
TB
Tyrone Brooks
Glen's Cousin (6-7 Yrs Old)
RS
Rachel Seenie
Glen's Aunt
GC
Glenn Cochrane
Lyna's Grandfather
FN
Fawnda Neckoway
Lyna's Mother
MN
Maggie Nagle
Sister 1
SM
Shawney Moar
Girl at Sink
KB
Kohl Bohemier
Cree Speaking Altar Boy
TW
Tasha Weight
Supervisor
Robert Kostyra
Robert Kostyra
Black Robe Priest

DETAILS

Release
Status
Released
Runtime
88 min (1h 28m)
Country
Rating
7.2/10 (10 votes)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is We Were Children about?
For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various Christian faiths. There were 80 of these 'residential schools' across the country. Most children were sent to faraway schools that separated them from their families and traditional land. These children endured brutality, physical hardship, mental degradation, and the complete erasure of their culture. The schools were part of a wider program of assimilation designed to integrate the native population into 'Canadian society.' These schools were established with the express purpose 'To kill the Indian in the child.' Told through their own voices, 'We Were Children' is the shocking true story of two such children: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart.
How long is We Were Children?
We Were Children has a runtime of 88 minutes (1h 28m).
Who stars in We Were Children?
The cast of We Were Children includes Lyna Hart, Ross McMillan, Glen Anaquod, Alicia Hamelin, Jade Hamelin.
What is the rating of We Were Children?
We Were Children has a rating of 7.2 out of 10 based on 10 votes on TMDB.

GENRES (1)

Documentary
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