Former Nhl Player Recalls Abuse at Saskatchewan Residential School

By David Kirton
CKOM
February 2, 2012

http://ckom.com/story/former-nhl-player-recalls-abuse-saskatchewan-residential-school/42226

The man known for being the NHL’s first aboriginal player has opened up about horrible abuse he experienced at a residential school in Saskatchewan.

Fred Sasakamoose spoke on the third and final day of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's community hearing in Prince Albert.

“I feel that I could be able to talk now,” said Sasakamoose, who dressed for 11 games with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1950s.

As a child, Sasakamoose attended the Duck Lake residential school. He says when he was nine, he was raped by older children in a bush near the school.

“When I got up, I had no clothes on. Sore. Then I started running, put my clothes on and walked out.

“The priest was there. He could have seen it, but there was nothing that he would do.”

Sasakamoose said it happened to him and a friend. Both tried to escape. But they got caught and were put in the centre of the dining room during dinner hour.

“Took our clothes off from the waist up and give us a whipping, then poured coal oil on top of us. That coal oil would burn my eyes,” said Sasakamoose.

Sasakamoose says he witnessed other abuses

“So much that I have to carry. My little friend that I see in front of me — in bed being raped. My brother, who I seen also, being raped in front of me,” said Sasakamoose.

Sasakamoose says it is only because of the Truth and Reconciliation hearings that he feels he can talk about his abuse in such detail.