Today marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. On this day we honour the thousands of children who were forced into the residential school system who never returned, as well as the survivors and their families who continue to live with the intergenerational impacts to their health, wealth, and wellbeing. To meet this important day of learning and healing, we’ve rounded up a few stories that reflect the diverse experiences of Indigenous identity, language, teachings, and cultural traditions. We hope that they encourage meaningful dialogue about truth and understanding with readers of any age in your life, and that they inspire you to rethink how we can take steps towards reconciliation each and every day.
Kids
Remember Who You Are by Leona and Gabrielle Prince, illustrated by Sara General (Orca Book Publishers)
Perfect for bedtime reading and classroom discussions, this book fosters a deep sense of belonging and pride by celebrating Indigenous heritage and reminding young readers of their cultural roots and their own potential. Available in three languages (English, Plains Cree, and French) each page offers an affirmation about identity, respect, love and truth, encouraging all children to embrace their unique gifts and become integral parts of their community.
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Wôpanâak Seasons by Carrie Anne Vanderhoop, illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Tradewind Books)
Learn more about the rich cultural heritage of the Wampanoag people in this striking illustrated tale about a young Wampanoag child taking readers on a seasonal journey through Aquinnah, on Neope, known as Martha’s Vineyard. In Wôpanâak Seasons, each season—Seeqan, Neepun, Keepun, Pup8n—showcases unique adventures that celebrate appreciation of the land and the joy of coming together with family and community all year round.
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Be a Good Ancestor by Leona and Gabrielle Prince, illustrated by Carla Joseph (Orca Book Publishers)
Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this stunning picture book encourages all readers to consider the importance of community and their connection to the natural world around them. Leona and Gabrielle Prince offer an accessible way to think deeply about our behaviours, addressing environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect. Be a Good Ancestor is a call to action for everyone to consider how all of our decisions will affect future generations.
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The Inquisitive Raven by Richard Wagamese, illustrated by Bridget George (Douglas & McIntyre)
From beloved author Richard Wagamese, The Inquisitive Raven invites readers to share in the sense of the wonder of the raven. Through the original work from Anishinaabe artist Bridget George, follow Rueben the inquisitive raven as he navigates the mystique of the animal world from the one-legged stance as they spear minnows, and squawks in glee at the sight of the bears emerging from hibernation.
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Elder Jen’s Story by Emma Metallic, illustrated by Natalie Laurin (Strong Nations Publishing)
Help your young readers reconcile with painful truths about residential schools in this compassionate, accessible story about Elder Jen’s experience as a residential school survivor. While developing phonics skills, children learn about Elder Jen’s path of healing and the resilience of the Mi’gmaq people who continue their journey of reclaiming and revitalizing their language today.
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Poetry
I Would Like to Say Thank You by Joseph Dandurand (Harbour Publishing)
In this newest poetry collection from prolific Kwantlen writer Joseph Dandurand, I Would Like to Say Thank You features reflections about trauma, love, grief, forgiveness and the Kwantlen people. New and returning fans of Dandurand will be captivated by his prose and empathize with his poignant reflection on everyday life.
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Stages of Tanning Words & Remembering Spells by Tawahum Bige (Nightwood Editions)
In their second poetry collection, writer Tawahum Bige explores themes of belonging and voice of a Two-Spirit Dene youth. Growing up in what is now referred to as “Surrey, BC,” far from his Łutselk’e Dene territories, these intimate poems represent the rich inner life, and complex of human identity in the moments throughout childhood to young adulthood articulating the difficulty journey of learning how to use their voice in order to discover their path.
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Crushed Wild Mint by Jess Housty (Nightwood Editions)
Winner of the 2024 Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award, Crushed Wild Mint is a powerful collection of poems rooted in land, ancestry, and love. Drawing on their experiences as a parent and herbalist, writer Jess Housty explores transformation, resilience, and the ties that connect us to place, body, and community.
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Nonfiction
Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation by Bruce McIvor (Harbour Publishing)
Internationally renowned as an expert in Aboriginal law and an advocate for Indigenous rights, Bruce McIvor answers the fundamental questions that Canadians from all corners of society have asked to advance truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples such as What is the Doctrine of Discovery? Who are the Métis? What is reconciliation? This book offers concise, essential information for readers looking to go beyond technical language and gain deep knowledge to support a thoughtful conversation and turn the country’s reconciliation project progresses from rhetoric to reality.
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Richard Wagamese Selected: What Comes from Spirit by Richard Wagamese (Douglas & McInytre)
This curated collection of Wagamese’s non-fiction works brings together more of the prolific author’s short writings, and celebrates his ability to inspire. Drawing from Wagamese’s essays and columns, along with preserved social media and blog posts that celebrate Wagamese’s literary legacy.
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ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ kiskisomitok: ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ to remind each and one another by ᑳᐯᓵᑳᐢᑌᐠ (reuben quinn) (Talonbooks)
In ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ kiskisomitok: ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ, nêhîyaw educator ᑳᐯᓵᑳᐢᑌᐠ (reuben quinn) uses the spirit marker writing system as a foundation for teaching ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ nêhîyawewin (the language of the Cree people). Sometimes called the star chart, this system holds forty-four large spirit markers and fourteen small spirit markers. Each large spirit marker holds a law; these laws are meant to guide us in ways that support us in life, in living well with the elements: fire, land, water, and air.
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One Arrow Left by Cecilia Dick DeRose with Sage Birchwater (Caitlin Press)
Recognized nationally as an Indigenous knowledge keeper, Secwépemc elder, and matriarch Cecilia DeRose presents her powerful, heartfelt and inspiring memoir of overcoming racism and adversity—One Arrow Left is a celebration of Secwépemc culture, language and the importance of passing on this knowledge to future generations.
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Fiction
White Noise by Taran Kootenhayoo (Talonbooks)
In White Noise, we follow two neighbouring families, one Indigenous and one white, dining together during Truth and Reconciliation Week. Both families are forced to reckon with the most prominent questions of today, including cultural misunderstanding, colonial violence, and racism, both covert and overt. Readers will be treated to an outrageously comedic exploration of how we deal with internalized racism and what it means to live in the land we call Canada.
Available November 25
All the Quiet Places by Brian Thomas Isaac (Touchwood Editions)
A highly acclaimed novel, All the Quiet Places is a moving coming-of-age story told through the eyes of Eddie Toma, a young Syilx boy growing up in the 1950s Southern Interior of British Columbia. Through Eddie’s journey, we learn how colonialism affects communities and of the severe separation from culture that can occur even at home in a loved, familiar landscape.
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