The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 marks a moment to focus on the ongoing work of remembering the painful history of residential schools in Canada, honouring the survivors, and untangling the ongoing legacy of colonialism as we work toward a better future. 

These seven books each contribute to the conversations around Truth and Reconciliation in their own way. Books can open doors to new worlds, and let us, as readers, walk in the shoes of those who have gone before us, and see the world through many different perspectives. They can share histories untold or erased, and sketch out possibilities for ways of being that break vicious cycles. 

In this way, reading and writing are part of bringing the truth to light, whether that’s the lived experience of residential schools and their legacies, the displacement of Métis peoples, or the ongoing effects of the Sixties Scoop.

As a starting point for learning and discussion, here’s an excerpt from the articles written about each of these books, and a link to the full articles. 

Leroy Wolf Collar wants to move government from a model of dystopia to utopia

In this era of reconciliation, the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is more important than ever. Some Indigenous communities have signed self-government agreements of various kinds with the federal government, yet there are still many obstacles along the path to true self-determination for Indigenous nations.

Leroy Paul Wolf Collar, a former Chief of Siksika Nation in southern Alberta, dealt with many problems faced by Indigenous nations across the country, such as housing shortages, lack of opportunities for youth, and the challenges and frustrations of operating within the colonial system and the constraints of the Indian Act.

In his book First Nations Self-Government: 17 Roadblocks to Self-Determination, and One Chief’s Thoughts on Solutions, Wolf Collar addresses 17 obstacles that are impeding Indigenous nations due to this defective system, such as broken treaty promises, problems with common forms of band administration, and the intrusion of provincial governments. He also provides potential solutions to overcome them.

“I wanted to share my knowledge and experience as a former councillor and chief in hopes that I can inspire future First Nations people into becoming educated and healthy leaders representing their communities,” says Wolf Collar. “I wanted to share the truth and realities experienced by First Nations Peoples whose quality of life is hindered by the ‘17 Roadblocks’ I talk about in my book.”

Read more about First Nations Self-Government: 17 Roadblocks to Self-Determination, and One Chief’s Thoughts on Solutions here.

Storytelling insights pair with tales from Elders in prolific writer’s first non-fiction book

Storytelling has the power to bring people together – even during a time of isolation. In Gather: Richard Van Camp on Storytelling, author Richard Van Camp shares his vast knowledge – components of a compelling story, storytelling techniques, and the impact storytelling can have in building community.

Van Camp, a member of the Tłįchǫ Dene First Nation, also shares some of his favourite stories from friends, family, and Elders whose wisdom has influenced him.

Gather is Van Camp’s 25th book, and his first book of non-fiction. 

“I’ve been recording and transcribing and collecting miracle stories from Elders, Storytellers, and Knowledge Keepers since 1991 when I was the Handi-Bus driver in my gorgeous hometown of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and I’ve been thinking about how we’re all craving community, culture, and connection – especially these past few years,” he explains.

Over four years, Van Camp has gone through 40 or so stories that he collected with permission to choose “the ones that have helped guide my life in terms of having faith in the universe.”

These stories include several from Elders and Knowledge Keepers about miracles they have experienced. “I promise they will swoon your spirit and heart,” says Van Camp. The audio from three of the storytellers is available on SoundCloud so readers can listen to the storytellers in their own voices.

Read more about Gather here.

Character’s search for identity reflects losses of Sixties Scoop, celebration of relationships

In Finding Izzy, the title character awakens in a hospital with amnesia and few clues to her identity. Her appearance indicates she is possibly Indigenous, and her often unexpected journey draws a reader in. Author Sheryl Doherty notes, “this story might just be a story, but there are truths that run through it.”

Izzy’s process of self-discovery takes her through experiences familiar to anyone coming of age, while incorporating the fantastical. Describing her work as “inspired by Indigenous ways of being,” Doherty organically intertwines traditional practices alongside the contemporary Indigenous experience.

Real-world problems including racism, ecological disaster, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Wet’suwet’en land defence, and the foster care system all come into play in meaningful ways. 

“I included these problems because I don’t want people to become complacent or ignore that there are real problems. I don’t want readers to escape reality easily,” says Doherty.

Read more about Finding Izzy here.

Story of people struggling with sickness a timely reminder of faith and resilience

The Gift of the Little People, written by acclaimed and award-winning author William Dumas, a Rocky Cree storyteller born in South Indian Lake, shares with us an important and timeless piece of Indigenous knowledge and history of the Rocky Cree People.

Part of The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak Series, which explores the language, culture, knowledge, territory, and history of the Rocky Cree people, The Gift of the Little People shows us the alchemic power of overcoming doubt with faith.

As co-leader of the Six Series Team, and with support from many Rocky Cree communities and knowledge keepers, Dumas recounts this enchanting story of the little people.

In this unique book, Dumas envelops the reader with the warmth of traditional oral storytelling. The story gently unfolds, telling us of Rocky Cree Elder Kakakiw, whose people are struggling with a mysterious sickness.

As more and more people pass into the spirit world, grieving Kakakiw becomes physically, emotionally, and spiritually tired. He seeks guidance through ceremony and prayer. Later that night, his prayers are answered in the form of an unusual visitor: one of the little people.

Read more about The Gift of the Little People here.

Nonlinear tale of homecoming and history weaves Franco-Métis language, culture

In his groundbreaking debut novel, Hold Your Tongue, Winnipeg author Matthew Tétreault explores loss, searching, and homecoming in Métis and Franco-Manitoban history and culture through a contemporary lens.

The story begins in the small historic Métis and French-Canadian community Ste. Anne, Manitoba. Here, Richard learns that his beloved mononcle Alfred has suffered a stroke. Faced with the enormity of this loss, he goes in search of his father to tell him the news.

As he revisits people and places from both his past and present, Richard’s memories of his old flame, small-town conflicts, and family secrets bring new revelations about Franco-Métis culture, history, and perhaps even his own place in the world.

“The novel works on multiple levels. There’s the present narrative of Richard’s story, the historical narrative as well, and part of it is certainly allegorical. It’s not only representing Southeast Manitoba but it’s also representing broader stories across the prairies. Stories of piecing and connecting together history to family stories,” Tétreault says.

Read more about Hold Your Tongue here.

Optimism, complexity tie together collection of writings on Winnipeg

Longtime Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaanwewidam Sinclair has gathered his writings to tell the story of his home: Treaty One territory, in Southern Manitoba. In Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre, Sinclair shows readers why Winnipeg is the heart of Canada not just geographically, but also politically and culturally.

Sinclair’s expertise on Indigenous issues in Treaty One territory has been accumulated through his years as an assistant professor of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba, his decades as a writer for numerous publications, and the knowledge passed on to him by his Anishinaabe community.

“When I was approached to compile my columns into a book about Winnipeg, I discovered that the people, land, water and everything in between tell us a lot about who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going,” says Sinclair.

Wînipêk opens with the toppling of the statues of Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria on Canada Day in 2021. Sinclair paints this as a creation of a new monument commemorating First Nations, and explains the history behind why Indigenous people across the nation felt seen and heard by the “remaking” of these statues.

Read more about Wînipêk here.

Trilingual play set in post-apocalyptic future tackles treatment of women, girls, and Two-spirit peoples

Tanya Nepinak, Morgan Harris, Ashlee Shingoose, also known as Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, Marcedes Myran, Rebecca Contois, Annie Yassie, Melissa Ivy Chaboyer, Hillary Angel Wilson, Lorlene Bone, Marcia Koostachin, Jennifer Leigh Catcheway, Tammy Nattaway, Kendara Ballantyne and many more – the list of names and their stories live on. 

Aunties, sisters, mothers and daughters are invoked in Tara Beagan’s Rise, Red River. This trilingual play unearths the history of a lineage buried in the depths of the now dry Red River. 

‘She’ is a blank slate and is trying to fill in who she is by dragging hooks through a desiccated riverbed, uncovering artifacts, stories, and people and accompanied by ‘Ancestor’ speaking Anishnaabemowin. 

‘She’ is reunited with the French speaking ‘Women’: Lisa, Tanya and Rhonda. These women hold space, transcending language barriers as they piece together their lives and rediscover what the river means to them.

Playwright Tara Beagan is a proud Ntlaka’pamux and Irish “Canadian” halfbreed. She is cofounder/director of ARTICLE 11 with Andy Moro. A11 has worked in Aotearoa, Australia, and Edinburgh. Beagan has served as artistic director, community liaison, and co-artistic associate of Native Earth Performing Arts and currently resides in Calgary, Alberta.  

Read more about Rise, Red River here.

If you’re interested in any of these titles, please reach out to your favourite local bookseller, or request these books from your local libraries.