Métis Artist Brings Residential School Survivor's Story to Life

A new children's book is turning one of Canada's darkest chapters into a lesson about the power of kindness.

Brie Phillips, a Métis artist and Indigenous Perspectives Consultant in Saskatchewan, illustrated "kisêwâtisi: Be Kind," a bilingual English-Cree children's book written by Elizabeth Merasty. The book tells the true story of Merasty's mother, Catherine, who attended Sturgeon Landing Indian Residential School in northern Saskatchewan.

When Merasty approached her close friend Phillips about the project, the invitation was immediate and deeply personal. Phillips had already written and illustrated her own children's book, "Roots," in memory of her grandmother, so she understood the weight of preserving family stories.

"When Merasty shared her mother Catherine's story, she framed it as a way to bring more kindness, hope and light to readers," Phillips said. Her answer was an instant yes.

The collaboration presented a unique challenge. Phillips needed to create illustrations that would introduce young readers to residential school history without overwhelming them. Her approach was deliberate: gentle images that offer care and context for a story that carries enormous weight.

"I was raised to always be kind and treat others with respect," Phillips said. "It is something that was instilled deep within me and I carry with me no matter where I go."

That childhood foundation gave Phillips a personal bridge to Catherine's story. Her illustrations center traditional Cree values and resilience, showing how kindness survived even in the hardest circumstances.

Why This Inspires

Phillips views her work on the book as more than art. It's a responsibility and a gift.

"To be able to help share that message in a good way is a gift," she said. "Kindness is so important, it connects us and keeps us going."

The book closes with a lesson from Catherine herself that feels both simple and profound: You will never be sorry you were kind to anyone. It's a message born from lived experience, passed down through generations, and now reaching young readers in classrooms and homes.

By presenting the story in both English and Cree, the book honors Indigenous language while making residential school history accessible to children at an age-appropriate level. It's education wrapped in hope.

The book is available at independent bookstores across Saskatchewan and online, carrying Catherine's story of survival and kindness to a new generation ready to listen.