Squamish Nation elder Sam George says he gets his healing from the violence and abuse he suffered during nine years of residential school by sharing his stories.

The crowd dressed in orange who gathered Tuesday at the University of British Columbia for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation fell silent when George came to the podium.

The abuse, physical, sexual and mental, sent him into darkness, made him fall in love with alcohol and drugs, and even hurt his wives when he drank, he said.

“I don’t brag about it. I’ve been married five times. I beat my wives, and when I got drunk, they left for their own protection. You know, I had two children. I abandoned them. They’re just starting to come back to me now,” George said, as his voice wavered with emotion.

George said he felt lik

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