It's Time to Go Play Now by Cassidy Gallant

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a new national holiday on September 30th meant to recognize the impact and legacy of the Canadian Residential School System. Cassidy Gallant’s It’s Time to Go Play Now was a poem written for the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and highlights the childhood experiences that were lost due to the forced attendance at Canadian Residential Schools.

Cassidy Gallant is a young Mi'kmaw poet who writes poetry about the lasting impact of Residential Schools. From PEI and a single mother, Gallant is currently working on a half-English, half-Mi’kmaw poetry book.

April 30, 2014 by Louise Bernice Halfe

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission began in 2008 with the purpose of providing those directly and indirectly affected by the Canadian Residential School System a chance to share their stories and experiences. April 30, 2014 is the date on which Louise Bernice Halfe shared her story with the committee. Named after that date, her poem, April 30, 2014 is filled with reflection, pain, and release as Halfe details the morning leading up to her hearing.

Louise Bernice Halfe is Canada’s Parliamentary Poet Laureate and is of Cree descent. Both a poet and social worker, Halfe weaves Cree language into her poetry in an act of defiance against erasure. Her works of poetry have gained numerous awards such as the Latner Writers' Trust Poetry Prize.

War by Lee Maracle

Published in 2000, Lee Maracle’s War describes experiences of Indigenous peoples in post-colonial Canada. Examining the turmoil and injustice faced by Indigenous peoples in the past, the poem presents the feelings of pain and love as non-conflicting. As such, Maracle writes of necessary acceptance and strength for Indigenous peoples to take back the narrative.

One of Canada’s most prolific Indigenous writers, Lee Maracle is a writer who is an advocate for Indigenous rights—specifically that of Indigenous women. In her work, she infuses her writings with traditional Indigenous stories; in particular, her focus in “decolonizing the feminine” in North America frames her writings in a uniquely feminist light. Maracle’s autobiography, Bobbi Lee: Indian Rebel, was one of the first Indigenous works published in Canada. Recognizing her instrumental contribution to Canadian literature and Indigenous rights, Maracle was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2018.

The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Combining modern issues faced by Indigenous peoples and the suspense of a crime-thriller, Firekeeper’s Daughter centers around 18-year-old Daunis Fontaine who struggles to fit into her Sault community. In light of the drug-related death of her best friend, Fontaine begins to uncover the hold that addictive drugs have on her community. The story introduces readers to traditional Ojibwe phrases and medicines and pulls back the curtain on the “corrosive effect of drug-use” in Indigenous communities.

A former Director of the Office of Indian Education in the U.S. Department of Education, Angeline Boulley now writes stories inspired by her own Ojibwe community. Boulley seeks to craft stories that explore the experiences of modern day Indigenous women.

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

The Marrow Thieves is set in a post-apocalyptic world where individuals have lost the ability to dream. When it is discovered that obtaining the bone marrow of Indigenous populations can restore one’s dreams, residential schools are once again built by the government to extract bone marrow forcibly from the Indigenous peoples. The story follows fifteen year old boy Frenchie—a member of the Metis Indigenous community in Canada—as he runs from the “recruiters” and struggles to survive. A brilliant commentary on Indigenous oppression, The Marrow Thieves sheds light on the history of Canadian residential schools and highlights current issues still faced by Indigenous peoples, such as environmental degradation and language loss, through a dark, fast-paced science-fiction setting.

As a member of the Georgian Bay Metis community, author Cherie Dimaline has spent numerous summers learning about her Metis heritage; as such, many of her books have a direct influence from traditional Metis stories. The Marrow Thieves is her most successful work, having been selected as one of TIME magazine's 100 Best YA Books of All Time and the recipient of both the Governor-General's Award for English language children's literature and the Kirkus Prize.

a stranger at home by Christy-Jordan Fenton and Margaret-Pokiak Fenton

A Stranger At Home tells the story of Margaret as she returns home after two years at Residential school. In a stark contrast to the expected open arms and warmth from her family, her mother instead refuses to believe that Margaret is her daughter. Upon returning home, Margaret is forced to relearn the language and beliefs of her family and reconcile them with what she was taught at Residential school. This story sheds light on the experiences of children attempting to re-assimilate into their Indigenous culture after Residential school and the trauma that families faced even after their children had returned.

Margaret Pokiak-Fenton was the inspiration for the character of Margaret in the book. Pokiak-Fenton attended Residential school at the age of eight and like the character in the story, struggled to reconnect to her family and her Indigenous culture. Her and her stepdaughter, Christy Jordan-Fenton, wrote A Stranger At Home together with the aim to encourage Indigenous children to believe in themselves.

Swift Fox All Along by Rebecca Thomas

Rebecca Lee Thomas is a Mi'kmaw author who is a daughter of a Residential School survivor. Swift Fox All Along recounts the story of Swift Fox, a girl who is relearning her Mi’kmaw culture through visiting her extended family—an experience that closely mirrored that of Rebecca Lee Thomas as she uses this book to address the effects of generational trauma. Initially, Swift Fox feels out of place with her extended Mi’kmaw family. She is unaware of the customs and traditions of her Indigenous culture and throughout the book, she strives to connect to her forgotten heritage.

A poet and author, Rebecca Lee Thomas uses her works to address the racism and inequality experienced by Indigenous peoples. Through her poetry, she has been named the Halifax Regional Municipality’s poet laureate and works to empower young Indigenous students to explore their own heritage at Nova Scotia Community College.

if Our Bodies Could Rust We Would Be Falling Apart by Billy-Ray Belcourt

On January 27, 2017, Barbara Kentner was struck with a trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Before her death, Kentner recalled that the man who threw the object said, “Oh, I’ve got one”. In “If Our Bodies Could Rust, We Would Fall Apart”, Billy-Ray Belcourt delves into the implications of that phrase—or, more specifically, how that one phrase was left unaddressed by police in determining if the attack was a hate crime. Using the phrase “Oh, I’ve got one” as a refrain, Belcourt weaves both generational anger towards systemic racism and feelings of grief for Barbara Kentner to create a deeply resonant piece of poetry.

Billy-Ray Belcourt is a writer from the Driftpile Cree Nation who was awarded the 2019 Indspire Award, the highest honour bestowed on Indigenous leaders in his community. His debut book also made him the youngest 2018 Griffin Poetry Prize winner.

i am graffiti by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson's "i am graffiti" is a poem written in response to the closing address of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Despite the ending of the commission in 2015, the author disagreed with the idea that Canada had reached “reconciliation”. Instead, with the thoughtful, and slightly sarcastic, motif of a bright pink eraser, she bitterly addresses the continued erasure of Indigenous experiences by the government. Moving from anger towards governmental actions to strength in her resolve, the poem sends a message on the resilience and survival of Indigenous peoples: their experiences and culture will not be erased.

I Am Not A Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer

Based on the true experiences of author Jenny Kay Dupuis' grandmother, I Am Not a Number recounts the story of eight year-old Irene Couchie. Upon being forcibly removed from her parents, Irene is told to forget her name and is only given one identifying number at residential school. Irene fights to remember her identity and her family amidst the demeaning environment she is placed in. Written to encourage dialogue about the first hand experience of children who attended residential schools, the story explores the dehumanising effect of diminishing one's identity to a single number.

Jenny Kay Dupuis is an Indigenous author, artist, and educator. As a teenager, she helped draft a proposal that was later adopted by the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System. With her knowledge, she has helped numerous NGOs and educational institutions develop a holistic understanding of Indigenous experiences.

Poem for Duncan Campbell Scott by Armand Garnet Ruffo

Duncan Campbell Scott was the head of the Government agency that devised and supervised residential schools. His poetry influenced the attitudes of generations of Canadians. His policies contributed to the Genocide perpertraded upon the Indiginous people of Canada. We should not read the poetry without considering the man. Writing prompt: Is there an author whose viewpoints have caused you to reevaluate their work?

Give-Away Song by Gwen Westerman

“Gwen Nell Westerman is the author of Follow the Blackbirds (Michigan State University Press, 2013), a poetry collection written in Dakota and English. The Poet Laureate of Minnesota, she is a Professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and lives in rural Blue Earth County.” - from Poets.org

Zoe and the Fawn by Catherine Jameson

“Zoe and her father are delighted to come across a fawn in the forest. But the fawn is alone-where is its mother? Join Zoe on her quest for the deer, as she encounters animals and learns their Okanagan (syilx) names along the way.

Repetition of phrased questions will enhance success for beginning readers while creating a playful rhythm for young listeners.

This sweet story is by Catherine Jameson, a mother who studied Children''s Fiction Writing at the En''owkin Centre''s Indigenous Creative Writing Graduate Program.” - from chapters.indigo.ca

Secret of the Dance by Andrea Spalding and Alfred Scow

For many First Nations in the Pacific Northwest, the potlatch is an important ceremony that marks births, deaths, weddings, and other significant events. Potlatches often last for many days and feature dancing, feasting, and the giving of gifts, names, and stories. From 1884 to 1951, the Canadian government made potlatches illegal in their effort to erase traditional First Nations culture and replace it with European, Christian values. In Secret of the Dance, Alfred Scow recounts the tale of how his family defied the government to hold a potlatch when he was very young, even though they could have been arrested for doing so.

When he grew up Alfred Scow went on to become the first Aboriginal person to graduate from law school in British Columbia. He worked as a respected lawyer and judge for many decades. AndreaSpalding has written over thirty books, many focused on the need for understanding and respect among different cultures.

Usually, we think breaking the rules is a bad thing, but sometimes the rules are unfair or unjust to begin with. Can you think of a time in your life when you broke a rule for a good reason? Can you think of any book or movie characters who broke a rule for a good reason?

Unlike Any Other Day by Joseph A. Dandurand

Joseph A. Dandurand is a Kwantlen Aboriginal poet and playwright, whose work extends into archeology. His plays include “Where Two Rivers Meet” and “Shake”, and his poetry is anthologized in three collections, including “dead and scratching for the poor”. His poem “Unlike Any Other Day” is rooted in the west coast landscape Dandurand calls home, tying the long, deep history of his people, both tragic and triumphant, to the land itself.

Consider the place you live. What connects you to it? What makes it your home?

Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola I. Campbell

“Nicola Campbell is Nłeʔkepmx, Syilx and Métis from the Nicola Valley, British Columbia. She is the author of, Shi-shi-etko, Shin-chi’s Canoe,and Grandpa’s Girls. A Day With Yayah, published by Tradewind Books is her most recent children’s book. A Day with Yayahshares a story of a grandmother passing on important land-based cultural teachings about harvesting traditional foods and medicines to her grandchildren. Nicola writes adult and children’s free-verse poetry, fiction and non-fiction prose and has two books forthcoming in Fall 2019 and 2020. Campbell is a finalist for numerous children’s literary awards and was recipient of the 2009 TD Canadian Children’s literature award, 2009 USBBYOutstanding International Books Listand shared the 2006 Anskohk Aboriginal Children’s Book of the Year Award. Currently a student at UBC Okanagan, her Ph.D. research is draws upon Indigenous scholarship with a focus on contemporary and traditional Indigenous storytelling practices.” - from Vancouver Public Library

Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox by Danielle Daniel

What animal do you feel most like? This picture book explores the Anishinaabe First Nation’s tradition of totem animals. These creatures can guide us and help us better understand ourselves and others.

Danielle Daniel is a Métis author who lives in the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnaabeg, (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada). Her first novel for kids, Forever Birchwood, is coming out in 2022.
What totem animal would you choose? Explain why that animal represents who you are.

(Good) Girls Dont Hitchhike by Selina Boan

Based out of Vancouver, Selina Boantter.com/selina_boan?lang=en has been a standout on the Canadian poetry scene since she was shortlisted for the 2016 CBC Poetry Prize. Since then she’s repeated that feat and published a collection of poems titled “Undoing Hours”. She claims white settler-nehiyaw identity, and her work has engaged with both of those heritages. Her poem "(Good) Girls Don’t Hitchhike” is an unflinching look at the horrific history of the “Highway of Tears” in northern British Columbia.

Sometimes the things that make us angry are things that happen to us, but because we are empathetic creatures, we often feel anger about injustices done to others. What’s something that makes you mad not on your own behalf, but on behalf of others? Why?

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Inside Our and Back Again follows the story of Ha, a girl who grew up in Saigon but was forced to leave Vietnam and immigrate to Alabama after the Fall of Saigon. The story follows her journey as they flee the country and embark on a journey to America. This is a great story that explores a difficult transition in a young girl's life.

What is a time where you had to face a difficult transition?