Indigenous Conversations: Residential schools with Darlene Larforme

Join us as we welcome Darlene Laforme who will be speaking about her experiences in the Residential School system as well as the multi-generational impact of the schools on the survivors and their families. 

Darlene Laforme, Cayuga, turtle clan, has been married for 46 years to an Anishinabwe man from the Mississaugas of the Credit. She is a mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, auntie and friend to many.

Darlene spent four childhood years at the Residential School nick-named by the students as "The Mush Hole" named so due to the sticky porridge that was served to the children. The Mush Hole represented the concerted effort to assimilate First Nations children into European Christian society, with the goal of severing the continuity of culture, language, and history from parent to child.

Darlene works as a Registered Social Worker. She learned her skills in culture, ways of being, and being resourceful. She credits her determination to the drive for a healthy life for her family, but advises that even today, it is still work.