Terence

Terence was born October 20, 1946, in the bush in Morrison Township near Muskoka, 80 miles north of Toronto. The son of Annie, a First Nations Ojibway woman, and a German father, Bruce Alexander. His mother delivered two sons: Terry and Don. Terry identifies with his indigenous roots and spoke Cree as a child. Terry moved often as a child.  After separating from Annie, Bruce[MW1] , their father, delivered Terry and Don to live with the Letendre family for a couple of years at Lac St. Anne. There they learned to speak Cree and engaged in all the family’s activities.
Terry, Don, and their father left Alberta returning to Ontario after two years to join Sophie, his father’s new wife. Terry was unhappy with his stepmother. He missed Annie. Terry was 22, when he found Annie living in a small house in Toronto. Terry’s mother Annie had 13 children. Terry describes Annie’s life as one of squalor he’s grateful he escaped.
At 76 years old, Terry looks back at his years working as a correctional officer, a volunteer at Atonement Home advising Children’ Aid, and most recently, 17 years as a school bus driver.  
Terry has lived well enjoying 42 years of marriage to Margaret. They had two daughters. Their youngest daughter who trained bus drivers, collapsed at work, and passed away 13 years ago. The cause of her death was never determined. Their oldest daughter married recently, creating a blended family that includes 17 year old grandson, Spirit. Spirit is a high functioning person with Autism. Terry declares his room as a “tragic mess” but he well represents his given name!
Terry worked as a corrections officer for the federal government for 25 years.
Terry believes rehabilitation does not occur during incarceration. It needs to be. He is upset by the high percentage of indigenous inmates in the prison system.
Tired of teaching Indigenous inmates how to live in a white person’s world with no rehabilitation; Terry left his work in corrections.
At 60, Terry reunited with Annie and her children and was able to kindle a good relationship.