Today marks Canada’s second officially commemorated National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. At Read Local BC, we’re looking to books and stories to learn more about the violent history and legacy of residential schools. It is also #OrangeShirtDay—a day to reflect on the experiences of survivors.
If you’re looking for reading material this #NDTR, BC’s booksellers have curated a large selection of resources, available throughout the province. Here are a few to get you started:
- Mosaic Books’ Beyond Orange Shirt Day reading list
- Massy Books’ Orange Shirt Day selection
- Bolen Books’ list of works by Indigenous authors
For those looking to extend your learning beyond National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we urge you to look to these BC-published books.
Histories, Territories and Laws of the Kitwancool: Second Edition, with a New Foreword by the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs by the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs, edited and with an introduction by Wilson Duff, translated by Constance Cox (Royal BC Museum)
A publication that captures not only the histories, territories and laws of the Gitanyow People of BC, but also a significant moment in time for settler-Indigenous relations, and the origin story for totem poles still standing at the Royal BC Museum today. This revised second edition includes a new foreword by the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs.
Coming October 2022!
With Our Orange Hearts by Phyllis Webstad, illustrated by Emily Kewageshig (Medicine Wheel Education)
Phyllis Webstad is the inspirational voice and founder behind #OrangeShirtDay. Commemorate the Every Child Matters movement with her latest work—With Our Orange Hearts.
My true story encourages young children to open their hearts
when others share their feelings, and be more comfortable
sharing their own feelings, too.
Listening is a first step towards reconciliation.
It’s never too early to start.
Aggie and Mudgy: The Journey of Two Kaska Dena Children by Wendy Proverbs (Heritage House)
“A powerful novel based on the true story of Proverbs’s biological mother and aunt.” —The Globe & Mail
Perfect for introducing the themes of Truth and Reconciliation to middle grade readers, this novel follows the journey of two Kaska Dena sisters as they are taken from their home and family to attend a residential school.
kā-āciwīkicik / The Move by Doris George and Don K. Philpot, illustrated by Alyssa Koski (Heritage House)
A dual-language picture book in English and Cree that is rooted in the historical displacement and relocation of members of the Chemawawin First Nation. The book depicts two Cree Elders adjusting to life in their new environment, and helping the land around to thrive.
I Hope / nipakosêyimon by Monique Gray Smith translated by Dolores Greyeyes Sand, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (Orca Book Publishers)
A dual-language picture book written in English and Plains Cree by award-winning and bestselling author Monique Gray Smith. I Hope / nipakosêyimon explores all the hopes adults have for the young people in their lives.
Tsqelmucwílc: The Kamloops Indian Residential School—Resistance and a Reckoning by Celia Haig-Brown, Randy Fred, Garry Gottfriedson and the KIRS Survivors (Arsenal Pulp Press)
In May 2021, the world was shocked by news of the detection of 215 unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS) in British Columbia, Canada. This is the story of the survivors of KIRS.
Together We Drum, Our Hearts Beat as One by Willie Poll, illustrated by Chief Lady Bird (Arsenal Pulp Press)
A moving, powerful and beautifully illustrated picture book about Indigenous resistance and ancestral connection featuring a young Anishnaabe girl in search of adventure. Our heroine takes a transformative journey into a forest on her traditional territory.
Miskwagoode by Marie Annharte Baker (New Star Books)
A striking collection of poetry by Marie Annharte Baker. The title is taken from the Anishinaabe for “woman wearing red,” and the book offers an unsettling portrayal of unreconciled Indigenous experience under colonialism.
From Bear Rock Mountain: The Life and Times of a Dene Residential School Survivor by Antoine Bear Rock Mountain (Touchwood Editions)
Antoine Mountain has received many awards for his art and community activism. Now, he is sharing the story of his remarkable and deeply personal journey from residential school to art school in this NorthWords award-winning title.
Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It by Bruce McIvor (Nightwood Editions)
Dr. Bruce McIvor is recognized nationally and internationally as one of Canada’s leading lawyers in Aboriginal law and represents First Nations across Canada. In his new book, McIvor explains why reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is failing and what needs to be done to fix it.