alt skwimémelt, Frozen Child, Shares Stories of Heartbreak, Resilience, and Reckoning

“Frozen Child”, or alt skwimémelt in Secwepemc, tells the heartbreaking story of Duncan Sticks, an eight-year-old boy who endured relentless torment and abuse at William’s Lake Residential School in British Columbia, Canada. In a brave yet desperate attempt to escape the horrors of the school, Duncan tried repeatedly to flee but tragically lost his life in the process.

This booklet seeks to illuminate Duncan’s devastating story while drawing attention to the individual experiences of the children who suffered in residential schools. By focusing on their personal narratives, Frozen Child aims to foster a deeper understanding of who these children were and the unimaginable horrors they endured.

The project also highlights broader truths about the atrocities committed at William’s Lake Residential School, underscoring the widespread harm caused by the residential school system. Its goal is to raise awareness of the lasting scars left on survivors and their communities, encouraging reflection, empathy, and a commitment to addressing this dark chapter in history.

From its very structure, the booklet challenges the reader to engage with its difficult subject matter. Bound by a slender orange string, it evokes the act of uncovering buried truths—a deliberate choice that mirrors the struggle of confronting Canada’s painful history. Behind a vellum cover lies the beginning of Duncan’s narrative, presented in both English and Secwepemc, the native language of many children who attended the school. This introduction opens a window into the horrors of William’s Lake Residential School.

The design employs an interactive approach to storytelling, revealing two interconnected narratives. The main pages follow Duncan’s heartbreaking journey—his relentless pursuit of freedom amid unimaginable adversity. Hidden within the French folds lies a second narrative: a compilation of statistics and accounts of the events that transpired within the school. This includes disturbing records of child pregnancies, mass suicide attempts, and countless other tragedies, broadening the scope of the narrative to highlight systemic abuse.

Frozen Child’s visual language amplifies its emotional weight. Stark charcoal illustrations and jagged pull quotes evoke a palpable sense of discomfort, while hand-rendered orange annotations provide a haunting voice to what Duncan’s thoughts may have been, as if his truths are emerging directly from the pages. At the booklet’s center is a smaller insert, presenting quotes from the inquest into Duncan’s death. These statements—from his father, sister, friends, and school officials—reveal a chilling tapestry of conflicting perspectives and unanswered questions.

The project seeks to honour the voices of those affected by residential schools by moving beyond a generalized narrative of suffering to center individual stories. This approach invites readers to connect deeply with the lived experiences of those who endured these atrocities, fostering empathy and awareness. By drawing attention to Duncan’s story and the broader truths of William’s Lake Residential School, the booklet serves as a powerful call to action, encouraging reflection, discussion, and support for those continuing to bear the weight of this dark legacy.

This is not simply a recounting of history. These are the real and enduring experiences of children who were subjected to unimaginable horrors by those entrusted with their care. Their stories demand recognition and resonate far beyond the pages, urging a commitment to understanding and addressing the ongoing impacts of this tragic chapter in Canada’s history.