- rbach83
National day for truth and reconciliation - our recommended books
Updated: Dec 7, 2021
EDIT: For an updated copy of this Book List, go to our catalogue!
On September 30, 2021, Canadians will commemorate their first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For many of us, the past few months have been the first time where the tragedies that occurred in residential schools across the country were brought to our attention. The question of what reconciliation and our responsibilities look like has become even more important. We hope that the stories of survivors and Indigenous communities we've gathered here serve as a starting point for your efforts to understand the experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. You can view the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action here. You can learn more about the rich histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples on the Government of Canada's Begin Your Learning Journey website.
Adults:
21 Things You May Not Know about the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Robert P. Joseph
The Education of Augie Merasty: A Residential School Memoir by Joseph Auguste Merasty & David Carpenter
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
From Bear Rock Mountain: The Life and Times of a Dene
Residential School Survivor by Antoine Mountain
In This Together by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
Picking Up the Pieces: Residential School Memories and the Making of the Witness Blanket by Carey Newman and Kristie Hudson (eBook). Print copy on order.
The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew
Wenjak by Joseph Boyden
Teens
As Long as the Rivers Flow by James Bartleman
Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
Secret Path by Jeff Lemire and Gord Downie
Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story by David Robertson, Scott B. Henderson, & Donovan Yaciuk
younger kids -picture books
Amik Loves School: A Story of Wisdom by Katherena Vermette
I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe
I'm Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas
You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith
Older Kids: Chapter Books & Informational Books
As Long as the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie
Orange Shirt Day by Phyllis Webstad
A Stranger at Home by Jordan-Fenton Christy (eBook). Print copy on order.
Speaking Our Truth by Monique Gray Smith
These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Presheens by Ruby Slipperjack
Truth and Reconciliation Indigenous Life in Canada Past, Present, and Future by Simon Rose
See also our Curated Picture Books about Residential Schools