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Back to the Red Road : a story of survival, redemption and love / Florence Kaefer and Edward Gamblin.
In 1954, when Florence Kaefer was just 19, she accepted a job as a teacher at Norway House Indian Residential School of Manitoba. Unaware of the difficult conditions the students were enduring, Florence and her fellow teachers nurtured a school full of lonely and homesick young children. Many years later, Florence unexpectedly reconnected with one of her students, Edward Gamblin. Edward found success and solace in his career as a musician, writing songs about the many political issues facing Aboriginal people in Canada. She was captivated by his voice, but shocked to hear him singing about the abuse he and the other children had been subjected to at Norway House.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781927575376 (pbk.)
- Physical Description: 207 p. : ill., ports. ; 23 cm.
- Publisher: Halfmoon Bay, BC : Caitlin Press Inc., 2014.
Content descriptions
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references. |
| Formatted Contents Note: | Florence's story : the last breath -- Florence's story : distant running -- Florence's story : our new school -- Florence's story : a star is born -- Florence's story : sniffling and tiny sobs -- Edward's story : scenario that never left -- Edward's story : my mind goes back -- Florence's story : Peter and Shirley -- Florence's story : the strap -- Florence's story : freedom and prison -- Florence's story : going back -- Florence's story : finding Edward's teachers -- Florence's story : time and distance -- Florence's story : the healing circle -- Florence's story : Aurelia and Edward come to visit -- Florence's story : interviewed by CBC Radio -- Florence's story : government apologies -- Florence's story : the bell -- Florence's story : fourth son -- Edward's story : my people -- Florence's story : Edward's heroes -- Florence's story : warriors -- Florence's story : holding my feather -- Florence's story : survivors -- Florence's story : visiting Aurelia -- Florence's story : look up and see the eagles -- Florence's story : a dream catcher -- Florence's story : a voice would speak to me -- Florence's story : "Later." "Later." Florence's story : the owl -- Florence's story : flowers around you -- Florence's story : reverent drums -- Epilogue -- Operational history of Norway House -- Indian residential school -- Norway House Indian Residential School -- Timeline of operations. |
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Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at College of the Rockies.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Circulation Modifier | Holdable? | Status | Due Date | Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranbrook Campus | E 96.65 .M35 K33 2014 (Text) | 31111000145340 | CRANBROOK | Volume hold | Available | - |
- Book News
Authors Florence Kaefer and Edward Gamblin both relate their story of reconciliation from each of their perspectives. Edward Gamblin was a student at Norway House Indian Residential School in Manitoba. Florence Kaefer was a teacher at the school. Many years later, Florence connected with Edward through his music and his lyrics, some of which related his story of abuse and oppression in the school he was forced to move to at the age of five. Florence was motivated to reach out to Edward to apologize and seek reconciliation. Distributed in the U.S. by Partners West. Annotation ©2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com) - Midpoint Books
In June 1967, Norway House Indian Residential School of Manitoba closed its doors after a somewhat questionable past. In 1954, when Florence Kaefer was just nineteen, she accepted a job as a teacher at Norway House. Unaware of the difficult conditions the students were enduring, Florence and her fellow teachers nurtured a school full of lonely and homesick young children. After a few years, Florence moved to Vancouver Island with her new husband where she continued to teach, thinking often of the children of Norway House. Many years later, after the death of her husband, Florence unexpectedly reconnected with one of her Norway House students, Edward Gamblin. Edward had been only five when he was brought to Norway House and Florence remembered him as a shy and polite young boy. Leaving the school at sixteen, Edward faced some challenges in a world that was both hostile and unfamiliar to him. But Edward found success and solace in his career as a musician, writing songs aboutthe many political issues facing Aboriginal people in Canada. On a trip to Manitoba, Florence discovered Edward's music. She was captivated by his voice, but shocked to hear him singing about the abuse he and the other children had been subjected to at Norway House. Motivated to apologize on behalf of the school and her colleagues, Florence contacted Edward. "Yes, I remember you and I accept your apology," Edward told her. "Reconciliation will not be one grand, finite act. It will be a multitude of small acts and gestures played out between individuals." The story of their personal reconciliation is both heartfelt and heartbreaking as Edward begins to share his painful truths with his family, Florence and the media. Three years after Edward's death in in 2010, Florence has continued to advocate for truth and reconciliation. BACK TO THE RED ROAD is more than one man's story: it is the story of our nation and how healing can begin, one friendship, one apology at a time.
