"When We Were Alone" is a children's book written by David Alexander Robertson and illustrated by Julie Flett, first published in 2016. The story centers around a young girl who helps tend to her grandmother's garden and becomes curious about her grandmother's long braided hair, colorful clothing, and language. The grandmother then shares memories of her time at a residential school, where Indigenous children were stripped of their cultural identity, including language and clothing. The story reveals how, when they were alone, the children would secretly express their culture and hold onto their heritage, which brought them strength and happiness despite the hardships. The book is both a portrayal of a painful part of history—the Canadian residential school system—and a message of empowerment and resilience. It has won several awards, including the Governor General's Literary Award for Young People's Literature (Illustrated Books) in 2017, and is praised for its powerful storytelling and beautiful illustrations. The narrative highlights themes of identity, family, culture, and the reclaiming of Indigenous heritage.