The "seven fallen feathers" refers to seven Indigenous teenagers who tragically died over an 11-year period while attending high school in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Their stories are detailed in the book Seven Fallen Feathers.
The Tragic Context of Seven Fallen Feathers
The phrase "seven fallen feathers" is central to the powerful book Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga. This non-fiction work illuminates the profound challenges and systemic issues faced by Indigenous youth who leave their home communities to pursue education in urban centers. The book specifically chronicles the lives and deaths of seven Indigenous high school students in Thunder Bay, whose untimely demises raised significant questions about safety, justice, and the treatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The Indigenous Youth at the Heart of the Story
The individuals known as the "seven fallen feathers" are:
| Name |
|---|
| Jethro Anderson |
| Curran Strang |
| Paul Panacheese |
| Robyn Harper |
| Reggie Bushie |
| Kyle Morrisseau |
| Jordan Wabasse |
Each of these young individuals was an Indigenous teen who died while attending high school in Thunder Bay. Their deaths, spanning an 11-year period, brought critical attention to the systemic issues impacting Indigenous students, including inadequate support systems, racial discrimination, and flawed investigations into their deaths. Seven Fallen Feathers serves as a crucial account, giving voice to these youth and shedding light on the broader struggles for Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
