Former NHL player recalls abuse at Saskatchewan residential school

CANADA
CKOM

Reported by David Kirton

First Posted: Feb 2, 2012

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.”

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