Tscup’s Book Club

In 1976-77; we moved from Central Farm to the Métis Village of Green Lake when I was approximately 13 years old. This was shortly after the assaults & abuses was abolished. Teachers and parents could not resort using this method anymore; as a form of discipline or punishment. Before that they had free reigns to beat us like animals anytime they wanted to. Thank goodness; there wasn't any major injuries or death from anyone. Especially from my dad.
This is an example of the brutal beatings he use too give my older twin brothers & my late brother Ronnie. He would throw them to the ground, kick and punch them. Grab them again & throw up to the ceiling. Let them fall to the floor and then throw them out the window. That is an just 1 of many examples of the torture he preformed on my poor brothers. It's surprisingly; my brothers survived or were never seriously injured. Maybe; they were but they never said anything because they were too scared.

Anyways; my dad quit beating the boys when that law was passed. However; the damage was done already which you will read later on how my older twin brother retaliated. Honest; our family could of been the next James Smith mass murders if the gun(s) would of went off each time my brother Jerry planned on shooting my dad. However; as a result; of my brother's revenge. When he was under the influence; resulted in him eventually serving life; in the penitentiary.

Of course; this all stems from the residential school era. So they should be responsible and accountable for all the intergenerational trauma and abuse, we witness and endured. From the hands of my father, who is a residential school survivor. Since we were just innocent young children, who turned out be like little devils; at the end. With all types of crazy & stupid addictions. Plus; committing all types of crimes.

Anyways; that rule didn't stop my mom from whipping me every night from the age 13 until I was 15 with my dad's belt. Finally; I stood up to her & threatened to blackmail her. Plus; I told her after you give me one last beating; I plan to go write a statement against you with the cops. Then I am going to run away & don't you dare come look for me. I must of scared her because after she never whipped me; again. I'll explain the reasons why she did this to me; in more detail later. There's mega stories which I'll start sharing but won't finish; in hopes to keep you all in suspense.

My parents quit drinking shortly after we moved into town of Green Lake. However; I began experimenting with alcohol & drugs by this time. I'll go into great detail about my life after sharing a lil history about my parent's life. I must say; my parents sure settled down & their attitude in life changed for the better. Both of them began focussing more on our traditional culture & tried introducing it to us. In hopes; we can learn & pass it down to the next generation. However my dad became a work alcoholic & a slave driver. The minute we woke up he made all our daily decisions for us. We were now on a daily routine & we all had daily chores too do every single day. So until everything was done; we were not allowed to go anywhere. Our days; that were once chaotic were now structured & planned out to a Tee.

He had us all working in his huge garden every day for few hours. From after-school on weekdays & mornings on weekends. Ranging from planting, weeding, and harvesting depending on the season. The family garden was my parent's pride & joy. We alway had a huge garden when we moved up the hill at Central farm but he was not that adamant or possessive about it. Even though; it was huge. Every spring my mom planted flowers around the house & her vegetables in the garden. Then we helped my dad plant the potatoes. My father was also a perfectionist. Awful skill to have with a short temper like his & a bunch small kids who were cry babies. However; he was way too strict and I believe that's why the traditional skills never got past down to the next generation. Which is very unfortunate since now the government is paying billions to revive our Culture. Out of all my siblings; I think I'm the only one who plants a garden & flowers around my house; today.

Before; I go any further, I want to give you a little history about my parents. Don't get me wrong; they both possessed some positive qualities. It wasn't all negative.

However, both of turned their addiction around to substitute to another one. Now; they both became addicted to gambling after they quit drinking. I remember; we use to travel everywhere to play Bingo as a family within the vicinity of Meadow Lake & area. Plus: every Sunday; they would travel to Canoe lake,Jansbay or any place that was hosting a huge bingo; together without us. If they heard about it. They would be there; as well. Later on though; my dad quit gambling but my mom‘s addiction got worse. Where she literally sold everything of value. Plus; if any of us worked, she would claim our pay cheques and only give us $50 and tell us we had to pay room & board. I was only 13 when she robbed me my first cheque. Plus; if I made any money babysitting. The minute; I walked in she was waiting for me by the door. If I even tried to say; no; she would threaten to kick me out. I hate too say; this but it’s the truth. I literally worked & enabled her gambling addiction.

My father was born on November 10th, 1924 to Eliza Desjarlais and Tobias Lanagraff. He was the oldest of all the siblings. My biological grandfather who I don't recall meeting was originally from Norwegian. When he married my grandma Eliza Desjarlair from Flying
Dust; she ended losing her Treaty Status. Plus; she got kicked off the Reserve with my dad in tow. I'm not sure exactly what year this was.

My father attended residential school school in Dumais Saskatchewan. Somewhere near the North Battleford area. So he was considered a Residential school survivor. Then he later received his Grade 12 upgrading in Meadow Lake. He was well educated. So when we were growing up, he instilled & encouraged all of us to continue getting our education after high school. He suggested; we try attend college or university. So out of 10 of us, 2 of us got degrees. My late sister Bertha & I. Plus; she also received her masters in Social Work. Plus 2-3 other siblings also received certificates.

My dad had absolutely no patience, a short temper & yelled a lot. He was a slave driver & treated us like his lil slaves. He was like a drill sergeant & we were his lil soldiers to his army camp. If we didn't do it right the first time; we would either get hit or yelled at. Then would have too do it over again until we got it right. He taught us a lot; but his teaching methods was the wrong way. To be honest; I believe this was the reason why the traditional culture; did not get passed down to our generation. Even when his grandsons use to visit during the summer holidays; he treated them the same way. He demanded & yelled a lot. So he lost their respect; as well.

He was brainwashed from the residential school era, about English becoming a dominant language. Therefore; he strongly believed this was the only language we learn. So he wouldn't allow my mother to speak Cree to us and that was the only language she knew how to speak. If he caught her speaking Cree, she would get heck or a beating. Depending on his mood; that day. So when she spoke to us, it was broken English mixed with a little bit of Cree. If she didn't know how to say the English word; properly. She would translate it in Cree. Growing up both my parents spoke Cree fluently! So we were able to understand it but I wish I could of been taught how too speak it; fluently. I envy anyone who is bilingual & could speak our language. Today,; I could speak a few words here in there but I can't hold a conversation. I wish now my dad would've of allowed my mom to speak to us in our native tongue. We are the only ones on my mom's side of the family who don't know how to speak Cree. All my 1st cousins are Cree bilingual speakers.

He was the oldest out of his family. So his other siblings realIy looked up to him. I am proud too announce my dad was very traditional. He hunted, trapped, snared and fished for all types of wild meat & fish. That's all we ate growing up. Rarely did we eat any meat from the stores. Maybe; the odd bologna, can meat or garlic sandwich once in a while. Especially; when we travelled. Due to the fact, we came from a large family; my parents always had 2 freezers full of meat & fish during the winter months. We even had our own butcher shop; downstairs. We learnt from a young age; how to package our own meat. We made hamburger, roast, steaks, fillets. You name it; we made it.

When we moved to Green Lake; we also moved with Bossy our dairy cow & chickens from Central Farm. We even had a our own lil farm happening up the hill. We had a barn & chicken coupe. If my parents taught of a way; to have pigs there; we would of had some of those also. Since my dad worked in the piggery and my mom worked in the chicken coup and milk the cows when we lived at central farm. Plus she obtained other odd jobs. Such as; painting & cleaning vacant houses; when families moved out.

Everyday; just like clockwork;
my mom would get up early in the morning after her coffee; to go milk our cow she named; Bossy. She purchased these so she can provide us with our own eggs & milk everyday. Practically every morning; I would follow her around like a lil tail. To observe and to help her if she needed it. My parents were both hard workers, intelligent and self sufficient. With the cost of living; today; this would definitely be the greatest survival skills someone should adopt. Or if anyone has a large family they should try incorporate some of these ideas too provide for them.

Thinking about it now; I am so proud of my parents . They were the smartest parents in our community.
In regards; too providing us all our foods from literally the ground up. We even churned our own butter. These are great traditional tools; we inherited & have under our belts. We sure are lucky we were raised by very traditional & resourceful parents. So for these reasons, I am very grateful.

Anyways; back to my dad; again. He provided wild meat for his mother until she passed away. Plus; made sure he gave some to his siblings. Every time he killed some thing he always made sure he killed an extra one for them. If he didn't kill anything that month; he would go purchase her groceries from the store & pay for everything. He wouldn't allow her to spend any money on food. Apparently; the oldest male member of each family had to provide for their parents until they passed to the spirit world. It was part of our cultural belief.

My father said; he was gifted as a medicine man when he was younger. Whenever he had the chance he would practice his traditional religious beliefs. Since our spiritual beliefs was taken away from us; that prevented him from practicing; as well. I remember how he would share his stories during the evening time & scare the hell out of us with his experiences. He said; one of uncles taught him everything.

My parents had 10 children all together. We were like a stair case. One born after the other,
However; my dad had three older children from his first marriage. My mom was also married & they had her a daughter named; Catherine who unfortunately passed away from pneumonia.

My mothers marriage was prearranged. The day after; her marriage to her husband, Stanley, Laliberte. He enlisted in the army and never came back to her. I'm sure she felt really hurt & confused because he never even asked about their baby or stayed in touch with my mom; at all. Probably from all the galvanizing, rumours; he heard about her when she drank. I’m sure that was part of reason. Or maybe he didn’t recognize her anymore. It had to be something in this regards. However, I’m sure she felt hurt and very emotional about it; at times.

Unfortunately, my paternal grandparent's marriage didn't last that long. So I'm guessing; within a couple years, they separated and divorced. My grandmother was able to move back to the reserve after this. Shortly after that she met her second husband who was named; Louis Merasty.
They married and had the rest of their children. According to my dad; Louis was a real good stepfather. His mom & him eventually got their treaty rights back.

So his 1st business; he owned was a farm on Flying Dust Reserve. He was a very wealthy man and always walked around with rolls of money in his pocket. He said; he did this because there was no banks opened yet. 1st bank too open up in Meadow Lake was; in 1955.
Apparently; due to jealousy, this one Bear family petitioned for him to get kicked off the reserve again because of his father being white. This person was successful and accomplishing her tactic scheme. Believe it or not that farm is still in operation; as of today.

He was married prior to meeting my mom. His 1st marriage to his wife Theresa; they had 3 children. 2 beautiful daughters and 1 handsome son, that looked identical to him. The reason why they broke up and divorced was because my dad brutally r***d; his wife's sister, Josephine. Who ended up charging him. Therefore; he ended up going to prison. However; I'm not sure for how long.

I am assuming shortly after he was released from Prison; he met my beautiful mother. Who looked like a walking model from a Vougue magazine. From the one picture she had of herself. She was wearing a long black peat jacket, long black boots. A scarf wrapped around
her neck & wearing dark red lipstick. It was a black & white picture but it was obvious she was blessed with a gorgeous body & face. I heard; through the grapevine; my dad was very abusive to her & he ended up breaking her nose several times. She tried getting it repaired but the 3 rd nose surgery was unsuccessful & her nose collapsed. Plus; she had a few serious car accidents which left her once beautiful face with some damaging & noticeable scars. However; her sense of humor, laughter & friendly personality diminished & covered all her imperfections.

According; to my oldest sister Dorothy; she left home at a very young age and resided in Northern BC. I guess; my parents relocated to Fort St John to pursue work at the sawmill. Since then my sister Dorothy been living in BC. This was in the early 60s. Apparently; I was only one years old; when we moved there. Along with my dad's siblings. Most of them followed; as well because we were always very close knit family. The only reason why they moved back to Saskatchewan was because my mom was very lonesome for her parents & siblings. My sister Dorothy said; she was very close to our Aunty Clara. They were just like sisters & they remained like that until my Aunty passed few years ago.

I remember listening to my late brother Dave stories about my parents. He was my dad’s oldest son. Him and I became really close; later in life. This is what he shared with me; of why he chose not to live with us growing up. I told him I use to look for him on TV. I always thought he became famous. He said; on weekends my parents would pick him up from the reserve & bring him to Green Lake. Apparently; we lived next-door to my mom’s parents farm. They used him to do all their slavery work. From drilling a hole in the ice to haul water in the winter time, to chopping & hauling wood, feeding the animals and list goes on. Plus, he said my mom was really mean to him. He said; even in the Winter time; he had to ride in the back of the truck. Back then; there was only gravel roads. It would take over an hour to get to Green Lake. Plus; during the winter time & rainy days; roads were horrible. Plus; winters were really harsh. Later on; he would begin to hide from my parents when the weekends rolled around. Then on purpose, he got in trouble with the law just too avoid being their slave and punching bag. Then when he went to court, the judge put in a foster home; in Good Soil Saskatchewan.

According; to my late sister Violet, she was raised by her mom’s auntie. Her name was Marie. She said; my dad never accepted her as his own. He always accused her of being someone else’s daughter. So when she was able to afford to do a DNA test; she did. I remember the year she came to Green Lake when we lived on top of the hill. One afternoon; she came walking in when she was under the influence to confront my dad of the DNA report. She got done to prove that he was her biological father!! According to rumour; Grandma Marie raised, practically all the unwanted children on the reserve including my oldest nephew George. Violet oldest.

Speaking about my mother. She only went to grade 3. She was born in Island Lake. I still don't know where this is exactly; in Saskatchewan. Her parents names were: Philip McCallum, and Marie ( Mulley) Aubichon. She was the oldest female in her family out of her 2 sisters. Plus; 4 brothers. She was very fluent in her language and that's all she spoke basically. So it's very disturbing to realize why my dad would even suggest she speaks English to us and she could barely speak it herself. However, she really tried her best. I'll give her mega credit for that. Even though there was a language barrier.

The reason why my mom had to quit school according to her is because my grandparents owned a huge farm down Beaver Road; in Green Lake. She was the oldest daughter. So she had no choice but to stay home and cook for all parent’s hired help. Plus; to help with other chores around the farm.
My mom was very private. She never spoke much of her childhood upbringing. She was very close too her parents who always welcome us to their house. They lived in the last log house down Beaver Road. Probably built by my grandparents. I think; every night we were there visiting them. Plus: she never told us who her 1st cousin were or who we were all related to. I'm just finding out now who my Aubichon relatives are on my grandma's side. Or I never met any of my grandpa's brothers. Plus; she never went too visit them either. The only one who I remember us visiting was my kukom's sister; in Meadow Lake who was married to a Laliberte. All I remember my grandpa telling us was he or my great grandpa didn't sign Treaty because he said in the near future; our treaty rights will not be recognized anymore. That is why they signed script.

I mentioned before how my parents were very traditional. My dad literally trapped for his own buckskin outfit. My mom use to skin & tan all the animals my dad would bring home from the wilderness. From there she would make him mukluks, gloves, jackets and you name it. She was very talented & than would later add coloured flower beads too everything to make it stand out. Shortly after we moved to Green Lake both of them were considered the king and queen trappers. I remember the day; so vividly like it was yesterday because my mom wore a buckskin dress & my dad wore his whole beaded outfit during one of our summer parades.

My favorites, memory was in a summer time because my parents & my dad's siblings would travel like a convoy to Rocky Boy; Montana. We went there to go visit my dad!s sister Cecil who was married over there. We would visit there for a few weeks and then we would pack up again and go follow the pow wow trail and travel to different states. Such as; North & South Dakota and Washington. I remember; we would get recognized for travelling from Canada. Then the pow wow committee would offer us food rations, blankets and gas money. Plus; if any of us danced we would get chosen; as one of the winners. I remember; I got chosen a few times.

Then when we returned back to Canada; it was usually just before the Fall time. Then my parent's would pack us up again. For a whole month of August to stay in the bush to pick berries. We went picked berries with our neighbours from Central Farm and all of their children. We had to pick one 5 gallon pail before we were allowed to go play. One in the morning before lunch & one after. I remember my brother late Joey put rocks in the bottom of his pail. Thinking he was going to trick my parents. He got caught immediately & got into trouble for that one. Eventhough; he was their favourite. So he mostly likely got off the hook.

Then when we came home from the bush, we now had to take my dad's garden out. My mom always preserved all the vegetables by canning them. Such as carrots, cucumbers & beets. Plus; she canned mega berries. Ranging from blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, choke cherries and so on. Not to mention all the baking she did in between. From making all types of different flavoured pies. Cakes, bread, buns, Christmas cake called lupoutsin. Then every other day; she baked us fried or baked bannock.

Then my dad would fill up the back of his truck with sacks of potatoes & freezer bags full of all types of berries. Then take the 5 youngest ones which included; Ronnie, the twins, Elsie & myself with him to go sell them up north. Starting from Beauval, Ile x Cross, Buffalo Narrows and sometimes we made it as far as La Loche. At a very young age, my dad taught us how to become great door to door salesman. My dad said: we had to do this to earn our school clothes and for all our hard work we only got one pair. It's no wonder why we became Kleptomaniacs. I will share more stories of this in greater detail on a different chapter.

Around 1973 to 1975; our life was turned totally upside down. A huge division was created amongst my relatives on my dad side. This was due to religion called; “Born Again” which most are still practicing; today. All my dad's siblings, his older children including his mom changed their Religion. My mom was totally against this religion, and now she had total control of which religion we should follow. Now; over night; we couldn't associate with any of our relatives which included my dad's siblings. our 1st cousins or my grandma. Plus; my favourite aunty from United States. Our life was turned upside down within a few months. I recall her threatening my dad if he was caught on Flying Dust Reserve. She would threaten too divorce him. So now we couldn’t visit any of our immediate or extended relatives from there. My mom even said; if we were caught associating with our relatives anywhere in Meadow; she would break our legs.

Now; all of a sudden we started attending Catholic church on a regular basis; in Green Lake. My mom had total control over which religion we had too start practicing. This was every Sunday & every religious holiday on the calendar. I just despised attending church especially confession. Now; the catholic religion was shove down our throats. Fast forward to the future; now I am learning to practice my traditional culture again. Especially; after all the unmarked graves that were recently found a few years ago.

Shortly; after we move to Green Lake, the leaders of our community used to organize all types family events. Ranging from Peter Pond Days, summer and winter festival, fast ball, volleyball, basketball
Tournaments
and curling Bonspiels. Plus; we had our own movie theatre ran by; Tom (Dooly) Fidler. Then on weekends, there was always live entertainment. Our community was always happening. There was so many people from the west side who would attend. Either by being spectators or they participated in one of the tournaments.

We also had a beautiful campground that was located down the hill. Across the Main Street. Along the shore of the river. Back then it would attract tourists from all over the world. So In the evenings, when we were done all our chores & if there was nothing happening in town; I use to go around visiting them until my curfew. Plus; we had so many convenience stores located on the main street. The other side of the bridge. I heard they went all bankrupt. I use too feel responsible due to my kleptomaniac behaviour since I was the one who taught my younger siblings how too steal. Anyways, you will read all about this in one of my chapter book

I plan too share all types of stories in greater detail, as I begin unraveling my stories. You could read these in my book club called; “Tscup’s Book Club.” hopefully: I’ll be able to be post more stories on there; later on. However; I might have to create a different page because this one is not allowing me to post any more stories on there.