When We Were Alone by David Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett (2016)
Recommended Ages: 6-8 A conversation between a young child and her grandmother explores the universal experiences of residential schools, from the "institutionalized attempts to strip identity away from Indigenous children" to expressions of resistance and resilience (from a CBC Interview with the Author) |
Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell, pictures by Kim LaFave (2005)
Recommended Ages: 4-7 Shi-shi-etko is a young child who is about to leave home for residential school. The story follows her last days in her home and with her family as she collects memories and teachings to take with her. Learn more at the House of Anansi website, and check out the Teacher's Guide for more resources to engage with the story. Also by Nicola I. Campbell: Shin-Chi's canoe (sequel to Shi-shi-etko) |
I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy Kacer, illustrated by Gillian Newland (2016)
Recommended Ages: 7-10 Irene and her brothers are taken to residential school, where they are given numbers instead of their names and punished for using their language. After the summer holidays, her parents stand up to the government and refuse to send them back. Visit Dupuis' website to learn more and to hear about her grandmother, who the story is based on. |
Fatty Legs: A True Story by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, artwork by Liz Amini-Holmes (2010)
Recommended Ages: 9-12 | 104 pages Margaret Pokiak's first-person account of residential school and dealing with a nun who tries to humiliate her. This book is primarily aimed at a middle-school audience. See more at CBC Article including author interviews and a video trailer. Also by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton: A Stranger At Home (sequel to Fatty Legs), and When I Was Eight and Not My Girl (adaptations of Fatty Legs and A Stranger At Home for younger readers). |
As Long As the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden, illustrated by Heather D. Holmlund (2005)
Recommended Ages: 8+ | 48 pages "As Long as the Rivers Flow is the story of Larry Loyie's last summer before entering residential school. It is a time of learning and adventure" (from House of Anansi Press). Visit the House of Anansi website for more information, including a Teacher's Guide with additional resources. |
Missing Nimâmâ by Melanie Florence, illustrated by Francois Thisdale (2015)
Recommended Ages: 15+ A young Cree girl is raised by her grandmother; her mother watches her from afar as she experiences various milestones. Learn more in this CBC article with author interviews and this Teacher Guide with resources for high school age youth. Note from Strong Nations Publishing: This is a picture book best suited for more mature readers, as it deals with mature themes and subject matter. It's best used for a read-aloud due to its subject matter and theme of loss. This book is not recommended as an independent read for younger ages. |
The Case of the Missing Auntie by Michael Hutchinson (2020)
Recommended Ages: 9-12 This 192-page chapter book aimed at middle-school aged readers is the second instalment of the Mighty Muskrats Mystery series. The Mighty Muskrats are four mystery solving cousins from an Indigenous community in Canada. "The Case of the Missing Auntie" follows their search for their grandpa's younger sister. Read the CBC Books Article to learn more. Other titles in the Mighty Muskrats Mysteries: The Case of Windy Lake, The Case of the Burgled Bundle, and The Case of the Rigged Race. |
Surviving the City by Tasha Spillet, illustrated by Natasha Donovan & Donovan Yaciuk (2018)
Recommended Ages: 12+ This graphic novel is the first of two volumes that follows Miikwan and Dez, two best friends growing up together in the city. When Dez is told she can no longer stay with her grandmother, she disappears. The story follows Miikwan's response and the community's search for Dez. From the author's website: This is "a story about womanhood, friendship, colonialism, and the anguish of a missing loved one." |
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (2017)
Recommended Ages: 6-9 A young girl helps her grandfather regain his language after her tells her about how it was taken away from him when he was in school. From the Strong Nations Publishing website: "This sensitive and warmly illustrated picture book explores the intergenerational impact of the residential school system that separated young Indigenous children from their families." |
I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe, art by Pauline Young (2019)
Recommended Ages: 4-8 This book pairs beautiful illustrations with Rita Joe's iconic poem, I Lost My Talk. From the CBC Books review: "An often quoted piece in this era of truth and reconciliation, Joe's powerful words explore and celebrate the survival of Mi'kmaw culture and language despite its attempted eradication." |
I'm Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas. art by Pauline Young (2021)
Recommended Ages: 4-9 This companion to "I Lost My Talk" features a poem written in response to Rita Joe's influential poem. "From sewing regalia to dancing at powow to learning traditional language, I'm Finding My Talk is about rediscovering her community, and finding culture" (from Strong Nations Publishing). |
Raven Brings the Light by Roy H. Vickers & Robert Budd
Recommended Ages: 4-10 *Also: Peace Dancer, Orca Chief, Cloudwalker series |
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
Recommended Ages: 0-7 *Also: "You Hold My Up" by Monique Gray Smith and "when we are king" by Monique Gray Smith |
In My Anaana's Amautik by Nadia Sammurtok
Recommended Ages: 3-7 |
Birdsong by Julie Flett
Recommended Ages: 5-8 Nattiq and the Land of Statutes: A Story from the Arctic by Barbara Landry recommended ages: 5-7 https://houseofanansi.com/products/nattiq-and-the-land-of-statues |
Those Who Dwell Below by Aviaq Johnston
Recommended Ages: 12+ |
What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses? by Richard Van Camp
Recommended Ages: K to Grade 3 *and may we have enough to share by the same author) |
Looks Like Daylight: Voices of Indigenous Kids by Deborah Ellis
Recommended Ages: 12+ |
Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes by Wab Kinew
Recommended Ages: 5-9 |
Learning My rights with Mousewoman by Morgan Asoyuf
Recommended Ages: 3-5 |
What's My Superpower by Aviaw Jonston
Recommended Ages: 3-6 |
Northwest Resistance by Katherena Vermette
Recommended Ages: 11-15 |
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
Recommended Ages: Youth/Young Adult |
Una Huna? What is This? by Susan Aglukar
Recommended Ages: 5-7 |
I Will See You Again by Lisa Boivin
Recommended Ages: 12+ |
Turtle Island: The Story of North America's First People by Eldon Yellowhorn & Katy Lowinger
Turtle Island: The Story of North America's First People (Eldon Yellowhorn & Kathy Lowinger) Short chapterbook for grades 6+ that covers the history of Indigenous peoples in North America since the end of the Ice Age using archeological evidence and Indigenous stories |
Richard Wagamese (Embers)
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First Nations Versions of the Bible
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(these mountains are our sacred places? vine deloria?)
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Unsettling the Word (bible study and reflecion)
rabbi laura/ray aldreds book? |
jody wilson-raybould's book
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