Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
Finding Cleo·Photos

Lillian's life

Meet Lillian Semaganis, Cleo's mother, who had her six children taken from her.
the Finding Cleo team · CBC ·

Below is an undated photo of Cleo's biological mother, Lillian Semaganis, who joined the fight to prevent the adoption of more Indigenous children into white homes, after her own kids were adopted. 

(Submitted by the Semaganis family.)

Lillian's attendance report for the residential school she attended in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, from the age of 7.

(National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation)

Lillian, pictured on her funeral program, died on March 4, 2014.

(Submitted by the Semaganis family. )

Nora Cummings, a Métis activist who worked with Lillian to stop the Adopt Indian and Métis program, says Cleo's late mother tried to get her children back after they were placed for adoption.

(Connie Walker/CBC)

Lillian eventually reunited with some of her children and got to meet her grandchildren. She's pictured here with her late daughter Annette, on the right, Christine on the left, and her grandson, Brad.

(Submitted by the Semaganis family. )

Special content:

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Become a CBC Account Holder

Join the conversation  Create account

Already have an account?

now