“Since being free of the institution I have been able to acquire a drivers licence. I was able to join Girl Guides, Brownies and CGIT and learned to play a guitar. I went to Guelph University and got my Wildlife Certificate to rehabilitate animals. I’m enjoying life and retirement.”
Who We Are
We are a group of survivors and supporters focused on honouring those who were laid to rest at the Huronia Regional Cemetery who come together for mutual support to share our life stories along with the success and accomplishments we have had since leaving the institution.
We Remember
In the first one hundred years of the Huronia Regional Centre’s operation, more than four thousand people died within the institution’s walls. At least 1,379 of those who died at the HRC are confirmed to have been buried in the institution cemetery, however due to poor record keeping and the removal of many grave markers, the exact number is unknown and could be more than 2,000.
What Survivors Want You to Know
“Since leaving the institution I am free and able to make my own decisions and I’m so grateful I’m out! I’m a free woman and I’m able to do the things I want to do. I’m glad I didn’t die in that institution. It was very scary there and I’m very happy I got out.”
- Cindy Scott
"When I left the institution I went to George Brown College. I took up hairdressing and I had my licence and my life is very good now. I live with my sister Marie and we have a beautiful apartment and our dog and animals. Believe me, they keep us company."
- Antoinette Charlebois
"When you are out in the world, you learn a heck of a lot more than you ever did when you were in the institution. We can come and go as we please, go where ever we want to go. We have our own place. No one can tell us what to do or push us around."
- Marie Slark
"Since coming out of the institution I was able to maintain the same job for 38 years. I was able to travel every year with my friend Mabel to places across Canada and down to Nashville. I’m enjoying life and my retirement."
- Bev Link
"Leaving the institutions I have my freedom. No locked doors. I can come and go where I want and I am happy. I fought inside that place to have my way out and when I got out I remember! The institution could not put me down!”
- Carrie Anne Tompkins
“I’m free, I know that. I’m happy to go to places to where I want to go and doing things I want to do. I’m learning of living in the community and man, you can’t get any better. I’m happy away from there. I’ve met people from all over the city and they ask how I’m doing being away from HRC. I say heah man if it gets any better I’d be shocking myself, fantastic! The way I wanted to do things, I couldn’t do there. I do things in the community and bam! I’m living on cloud nine!”
- Harold Dougall
Partners in Justice
An inclusive, multi-generational collaboration exploring past and present impacts of institutionalization, discrimination and the need for disability justice.
Exclusiontobelonging.ca is the home of three projects created through collaboration between institutional survivors and siblings, allies, and supporters.
Led by survivors of the HRC in Orillia, Ontario. This initiative is committed to ensuring that people locally and nationally remember the abuse that took place.