Description
Elder Raymond Tony Charlie is a respected educator, speaker, author, actor, and talented artist. A proud member of the Penelakut Tribe, Charlie has rigorously worked to bring awareness to the experiences of residential school Survivors and facilitate healing through the sharing of his own experiences. As a child, he attended both the Kuper Island and St. Mary’s residential schools.
Charlie was among the second generation in his family to attend residential school. Beginning with his Mother in the 1930’s, his aunts, uncles, 6 siblings, and various cousins all attended different residential schools situated on the lands that are colonially known as Canada. The traumatizing experiences survived by Charlie’s relations had and continue to have significant impacts on the family’s generations, including the loss of their language. During his time at Kuper Island and St. Mary’s, Charlie himself survived unimaginable physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. As an adult, Charlie testified on these experiences as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He also stood forward as 1 of 7 of the sexual abuse victims that testified in court to help convict abuser Roman Catholic brother Glenn Doughty in 2002.
As an advocate for awareness and healing, Charlie has worked as an active speaker and discussion circle leader at schools, colleges, and universities. He has also devoted countless hours as a facilitator for the Village Project: Journey of Our Generations, a weekly workshop centering on the past and ongoing impacts of colonialism, that has been delivered to over 7,000 people. For many years, Charlie has further sought to facilitate healing through youth mentorship and leading men’s support groups. He also attends Elder’s meetings and served as an Elder in First Nations court.
Charlie has been engaged in film. Within his lifetime he has acted as well as created two films about Kuper Island. He is also a talented carver. He is married to 'Namgis/Kwakwaka'wakw artist Lorraine E. Charlie.
In 2022 Charlie published his book, In the Shadow of the Red Brick Building, which details the experiences he endured at Kuper Island residential school, as well as the healing journey that followed. Through this work, Charlie sought to share his truth in hope of bringing healing to communities and fostering greater societal understanding towards Survivors. His words were given not in bitterness, but in belief that the stories of Survivors need to be heard and understood as living history for change to come.
