A new children’s book tells the story of Cree Elder Shirley (Fletcher) Horn’s experience over a decade of attending residential “school” — recounting the experience from a kid’s perspective.

Shirley: An Indian Residential School Story was written and illustrated by Anishinaabe author Joanne Robertson, along with Horn.

The Elder said she wanted to make sure the story came from her viewpoint as a child — weaving in the depth of her experience in the institutions from the ages of five to 15. This way, the story is accessible to children reading the book.

“When you’re a child of five, six and seven, you’re not thinking like an adult, you’re thinking like a child,” reflects Horn.

“From a child’s perspective, it’s very different.”