We Were Children (2012): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2012, We Were Children is a documentary film directed by Tim Wolochatiuk, running about 88 minutes.

What it’s about. For over 130 years till 1996, more than 100,000 of Canada's First Nations children were legally required to attend government-funded schools run by various Christian faiths. There were 80 of these 'residential schools' across the country. Most children were sent to faraway schools that separated them from their families and traditional land. These children endured brutality, physical hardship, mental degradation, and the complete erasure of their culture. The schools were part of a wider program of assimilation designed to integrate the native population into 'Canadian society.' These schools were established with the express purpose 'To kill the Indian in the child.' Told through their own voices, 'We Were Children' is the shocking true story of two such children: Glen Anaquod and Lyna Hart.

Who’s in it. We Were Children stars Lyna Hart and Ross McMillan as Father X.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.7/10, We Were Children has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Prime Video with Ads and rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch We Were Children page.

If you liked it. Fans of We Were Children tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.