About the talk

Join Saulteaux artist Robert Houle in conversation with Canadian-born investigative reporter and author Ruth Teichroeb as they discuss the impact of the residential school system. Teichroeb’s influential 1998 book Flowers on My Grave: How an Ojibwa Boy’s Death Helped Break the Silence on Child Abuse activated Houle’s dark childhood memories of his years at Sandy Bay Residential School, allowing him to begin his journey of reclamation and recovery.

Houle’s memories inspired the series of drawings on view in the special exhibition Robert Houle: Histories. These vivid artworks bear testament to Houle’s resilient spirit in the aftermath of trauma. The conversation will be moderated by McMichael Chief Curator Sarah Milroy.