Survivor of Nanaimo Indian Hospital learns to heal [Video]

This story contains sensitive information about the Nanaimo Indian Hospital and the extreme violence that happened there, including sexual assault. For help, Indigenous peoples across Canada can call the Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310 or chat online. The helpline’s counsellors are available 24/7. You can also call or text VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808.

For decades, Melven Jones couldn’t talk about what happened to him as a child. He didn’t even remember it.

Until one day in the shower, it all came rushing back.

“(My friend) came in, found me in the shower in the fetal position not moving. Nobody knew what was going on. I didn’t even know what was going on,” Jones said.

“I sputtered out that, ‘They hurt me. They really hurt me.’”

A mental block had broken, illuminating childhood horrors long hidden in the recesses of his mind.

Jones, a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, remembered …