On July 1st, our country celebrates the beauty of the land, people, and home that is found here.
This year, we’re shifting our focus to the voices of the people from this land.
From Indigenous art retrospectives, a dive into Haida manga, poetry, and language guides, to nonfiction breakdowns on current land disputes and advocacy, first hand experiences with colonialism, and guides for reconciliation, you can discover Indigenous stories and experiences directly from Indigenous authors.
Happy local reading.
Nonfiction
Indigenous Rights in One Minute by Bruce McIvor (Nightwood Editions)
Internationally renowned as an expert in Aboriginal law and an advocate for Indigenous rights, Bruce McIvor delivers concise, essential information for Canadians committed to truth and reconciliation.A shortage of trustworthy information continues to frustrate Canadians with best intentions to fulfill Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. To meet this demand, lawyer and historian Bruce McIvor provides concise, plain answers to 100 essential questions being asked by Canadians across the country.
Out now
Belonging with Indigenous Lands: Resurgence, Reciprocity, and Environmental Stewardship in the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Edited by John Reid-Hresko (UBC Press)
Belonging with Indigenous Lands explores an innovative movement to fund and protect one of Canada’s first Indigenous-managed park systems and discusses the initiative’s reception by settler communities in Tofino.
Out now
Now You Know Me: Seeing The Unhidden Truth In Settler Colonialism by John Matterson and k’wunəmɛn Joe Gallagher (Hancock House)
Now You Know Me tells of a journey of understanding between two old friends who grew up in different worlds in the same small town of Powell River, BC, on traditional Tla’amin land. Joe Gallagher, who is Tla’amin, and John Matterson, who is white, were friends as teenagers but went their separate ways before reconnecting 35 years later and truly getting to know each other.
Out now
Indigenous Law in Context: Tŝilhqot’in Dechen Ts’edilhtan in the Governance of Water by Alan Hanna (UBC Press)
Indigenous Law in Context investigates the challenge of reconciling Indigenous and non-Indigenous law by examining the case of water governance within Tŝilhqot’in traditional territory.
Out now
In Her Words by Doris Jeanne MacKinnon (Heritage House)
Part historical biography, part compilation of the written works of Marie Rose Delorme Smith (1861–1960), a prolific and accomplished Métis woman.
Out now
Plant Teaching from my Auntie: Gathering Coast Salish Plants for Medicine, Textiles, Nourishment, and Ceremony by C’tasi:a, Geraldine Manson, Nancy Turner (New Society Publishers)
A Snuneymuxw ethnobotany guide grounded in Indigenous knowledge and deep ancestral connection to the land.
Coming August
The Rise of Indigenous Economic Power: Deconstructing Indian Act Economics by Carol Anne Hilton (New Society Publishers)
The Indigenous economy is surging, but full Indigenous economic participation is still lacking, thwarted by the colonial and racist policies of Canada’s Indian Act. The Rise of Indigenous Economic Powerdeconstructs these historic and systemic barriers and presents an ethical response based on Indigenomics in action.
Out now
Language
“ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ kiskisomitok: ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ to remind each and one another by ᑳᐯᓵᑳᐢᑌᐠ reuben quinn (Talon Books)
nêhîyaw educator ᑳᐯᓵᑳᐢᑌᐠ reuben quinn uses the spirit marker writing system as a foundation for teaching ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ nêhîyawewin. 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. The spirit markers remind us that these elements form the foundations of all relationships on earth.
Out now
Art
The Best of Roy Henry Vickers: 80 Selected Works by Roy Henry Vickers, Lucky Budd (Harbour Publishing)
A career best-of retrospective to commemorate Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers’s 80th birthday, in an affordably-priced quality paperback format. The book brings together the iconographies that have made Vickers a household name, showcasing vibrant landscapes, iconic Northwest Coast legends and the unique moments of West Coast life rendered in his signature bold lines and vivid colours.
Out now
The Lost Haida Manga: A Compendium by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Wade Davis (Douglas & McIntyre)
From celebrated Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas comes a striking new collection tracing the origins and evolution of Haida Manga—a bold visual genre that blends North Pacific Indigenous iconography and framelines with the dynamic energy of graphic storytelling.
Out now
Poetry
I Would Like To Say Thank You by Joseph Dandurand (Nightwood Editions)
Prolific Kwantlen writer Joseph Dandurand offers his latest poetry collection, following The Punishment and The East Side of It All, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Griffin Poetry Prize. Building on his legacy as a skilled storyteller, Dandurand continues to write about trauma, love, grief and forgiveness. After putting this collection down, don’t be surprised to find yourself saying “thank you,” too.
Out now
The Flesh of Ice by Garry Gottfriedson (Caitlin Press)
The Flesh of Ice is a searingly honest and deeply heartfelt collection, dedicated to those who attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School and residential schools in Canada.
Out now
Novels
The Unweaving: A Novel by Cheryl Parisien (Tidewater Press)
Finalist for the OLA Forest of Reading White Pine Award 2026. Threatened by encroaching colonialism, one Métis family struggles to protect their way of life.
Out now