Ashley meets her great-uncle by the old train tracks near their community in Nova Scotia. Ashley sees his sadness, and Uncle tells her of the day years ago when he and the other children from their community were told to board the train before being taken to residential school where their lives were changed forever. They weren't allowed to speak Mi'gmaq and were punished if they did. There was no one to give them love and hugs and comfort. Uncle also tells Ashley how happy she and her sister make him. They are what give him hope. Ashley promises to wait with her uncle by the train tracks, in remembrance of what was lost.
 
Product details
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Second Story Press (March 24, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1772601292
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1772601299
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 9 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 590L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 4
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.08 x 8.5 inches
 
Jodie Callaghan is a Mi'gmaq woman from the Listuguj First Nation in Gespegewa’gi near Quebec. She has always been drawn to story-telling and has found writing to be the best way to connect to her history and her culture. She was inspired to write The Train after listening to many people tell her about their residential school experience.