Residential Schools (Canada), and Native American boarding schools (United States), have been in the news more recently, as thousands of unmarked graves of child attendees are being discovered or reported. Many non-indigenous people are learning about these “schools” for the first time, are only vaguely familiar with their purpose, history, and cultural devastation and/or have only been exposed to white/European interpretations of this history and its meaning for the present and future. The purpose of this blog post is not to explain the meaning of this history or how this story is interwoven with all of our lives. It is not our story to tell. Our purpose is to provide a list of resources you can use to help yourself, and the young people you know and love, learn about and understand this topic with an emphasis on resources created by Native Americans and First Nations members. As always, in approaching this topic and ingesting information, especially any resources not from this curated list or not written by Indigenous authors (in North America: Native American, First Nations, Metis, Inuit), we urge you to consider the following questions:
Who is telling this story?
Who benefits from the story as told?
Whose story is missing?
These words from David A. Robertson, a Cree author based in Winnipeg whose grandmother attended Norway House Indian Residential School, explain the purpose in providing such resources better than we ever could. We highly encourage you to read the entirety of Mr. Robertson’s thoughts in curating his list of “48 books by Indigenous writers to read to understand residential schools”, and share this excerpt here:
It can no longer be disputed that the residential school system was genocide, and the question now is: What are you going to do about it? Because outrage, thoughts and prayers, retweets and likes, are not enough.
I think the answer starts with stories. Stories have been, and always will be, the best way to educate ourselves about the truth. You have to recognize that you have the power to be the authors of reconciliation if you read as much as you can, listen as much as you can, learn as much as you can, and then take meaningful, informed action.
I don't know your role, but I know that youth are inherently better positioned than anybody to create the sort of change we need to see, and so we need to focus on them. Stories reveal the world to kids — the world that was, the world that is and the world that can be. What kind of future do you want to have?
Here are some books by Indigenous authors to get you started on your learning journey. Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. There are more stories out there.
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Below you will find:
“Books We Own and Lend” -- a list of the books we own and lend that address the residential school experience. All are written by authors who self identify with a community indigenous to North America. To learn how to borrow these books see Borrow A Book on our menu.
“Recommended Titles We Would Like to Own And Lend” -- the list of recommended books dealing with the residential school experience that are not yet in our collection with the sources of their recommendation noted. All are written by authors who self identify with a community indigenous to North America. We will gladly accept donations of any of these titles so that we may make them more accessible to the community. Learn how to donate here!
“Additional Resources” -- a list of additional resources and their sources of recommendation.
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Books We Own and Lend*
Picture Books
When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson
Instructional guide for Cultural & Linguistic Responsiveness from Responsive Reads
When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan - Fenton
Juvenile
I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis
I Can Make This Promise - Christine Day
Middle Grades & Teen
Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith
Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People (ReVisioning History for Young People) by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Debbie Reese, adapted by Jean Mendoza
Recommended Titles* We Would Like to Own and Lend**
*Taken from “48 books by Indigenous writers to read to understand residential schools” posted by CBC Books June 10, 2021. The list was developed by David A. Robertson, a Cree author based in Winnipeg whose grandmother attended NOrway House Indian Residential School. Mr. Robertson’s list was not organized by reading level as we typically do. Relying on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Books reviews linked in the original article and Kirkus Reviews, we have made every effort to accurately reflect the recommended reading levels for each book on the list. **To donate these books
Picture Books & Juvenile
The Train by Jodie Callaghan, illustrated by Georgia Lesley (ages 4 - 8)
Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad, illustrated by Brock Nicol (adaptation of The Orange Shirt Story for ages 4 - 6)
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (ages 4 - 8)
The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad, illustrated by Brock Nicol (ages 7 - 10)
Shi-shi-etko by NIcola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave (ages 6 - 8)
Shin-chi’s Canoe by by NIcola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave (ages 6 - 10)
Not My Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (ages 5 - 9)’
I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe, illustrated by Pauline Young (ages 4 - 9)
I’m Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas, illustrated by Pauline Young (ages 4 - 9)
Amik Loves School: A Story of Wisdom by Katherena Vermette and Irene Kuziw illustrator (ages 4 - 8)
Juvenile & Middle Grades
As Long as the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie. With Constance Brissenden, illustrated by Heather Holmlund
Fatty Legs: A True Story by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes (ages 8 - 12)
A Stranger at Home: A True Story by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes (ages 8 - 12)
The Land is Our Storybook (“series of ten books for children about the diverse lands and cultures of Canada's Northwest Territories”) by Julie-Ann Andre and Mindy Willett
Middle Grades
My Name is Seepeetza by Shirley Sterling (10 - 12 years)
Dear Canada: These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens by Ruby Slipperjack (ages 9 - 12)
The Journey Forward by Richard Van Camp and Monique Gray Smith
Teen and up
Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier (ages 15 and up)
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (14 and up)
Sugar Falls by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Scott B. Henderson (14 and up)
7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga by David A. Robertson, graphic illustrations by Scott B. Henderson (grades 9 - 12) (graphic novel)
Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools by Theodore Fontaine (an “approved curriculum resource for grade 9 - 12 students in British Columbia and Manitoba)
Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Scott B. Henderson (graphic novel, grades 9 - 12)
Adult
Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga
Porcupines and China Dolls by Robert Arthur Alexie
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
One Story, One Song by Richard Wagamese
The Red Files by Lisa Bird-Wilson
The Education of Augie Merasty by Joseph Auguste Merasty with David Carpenter
They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellars
Up Ghost River: A Chief’s Journey Through the Turbulent Waters of Native History by Edmund Metatawabin with Alexandra Shimo
In My Own Moccasins by Helen Knott
The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew
Additional Resources*
*Based on a list compiled by Jessica O’Neill, “a Canadian writer, traveler and historian”
“Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: ‘Calls to Action’. Report. 2015.
The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in six volumes. 2015.
Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 2019. (Includes “Calls for Justice” document)
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. “Warning: The website deals with topics that may cause trauma invoked by memories of past abuse. . . “
“Background” and “Quick Facts on Residential Schools” from Reconciliation Canada.
List of institutions “requested to be added to the list of Indian residential schools recognized by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement”. 2013.
Tk'emlúps (Kamloops Indian Band) Press Release. May 27, 2021.
An Overview of the Indian Residential School System written by the Union of Ontario Indians based on research compiled by Karen Restoule. 2013. (Content warning for possible crisis or distress).
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Index of Missing Children and Unmarked Burials. 2016.
“Foster care replaced residential schools for Indigenous children, advocates say.” Christy Somos for CTVNews.ca. June 7, 2021
“The horrors of St. Anne’s: Ontario Provincial Police files obtained by CBC News reveal the history of abuse at the notorious residential school that built its own electric chair.” Jorge Barrera for CBC News. March 29, 2018.
“It’s time to bring our children home from the residential schools.” Tanya Talaka, Tk’emlups Te Secwepemc First Nation, Opinion in The Globe and Mail, published May 31, 2021, Updated June 1, 2021.