Leo's Story (Long Version) My story matters

Melody H shares the story of Leo G is a First Nation man who spent 22 years institutionalized in Ontario's institutions for people with intellectual disabilities. Through Melody's perspective as Leo's support worker and friend for the past 25 years, we learn how Leo's mother fought unsuccessfully to keep her children when they were apprehended by Children's Services, how Leo survived brutal conditions and forced labour in institutions, and how his brother Frank gave him the gift of art during their final family visit. The story documents Leo's multiple escape attempts over 22 years, his eventual reunion with his mother at age 32, and his struggle with alcoholism and trauma that lasted well into his 60s. Melody helped Leo reconnect with his Indigenous identity through visits to Wiikwemikong First Nation, participation in powwows, and the development of his distinctive art practice featuring his favourite colour: orange. Melody exposes the inadequacy of class action settlements that re-traumatized survivors by requiring detailed abuse disclosure for compensation, and the ongoing failure of government accountability. Despite government claims of having "learned from mistakes," Leo ultimately ended up back in an institution in his old age, using his settlement money to pay for his own care. Leo lives with ongoing health impacts from his institutionalization, including arthritis and physical injuries resulting from the abuse and forced labour he endured as a child. This story highlights a lesser-known aspect of Canada's institutional history: Indigenous children with intellectual disabilities who were institutionalized rather than sent to residential schools. Many families still don't know what happened to their relatives. As Melody states: "There's more Leos out there... They're waiting to be found."