“My view is that reconciliation is a way of life and requires work every day.”
– Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, Canada’s first Indigenous Governor-General.
At Kells, we honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Today, we reflect on the harm caused to our Indigenous peoples by residential schools. We acknowledge the travesty of residential schools and recognize the deep generational pain caused by this violation of families.
Today, we also celebrate Indigenous excellence. We shout out to the awesome writers, thinkers, creators, and groups across Turtle Island!
Governor-General Mary Simon notes that reconciliation is something we must always work towards. One way we can do this is by learning. Below, we have a list of ideas to learn more.
Resources
Warning! Some of the resources below talk about violence towards Indigenous people. Please take care when reading. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. IRSSS 24 Hour Crisis Line: 1-800-721-0066
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Free Online Indigenous History Course
Podcasts (For free on your favourite streaming App)
- Telling Our Twisted Histories – Decolonize. One word at a time.
- This Place – Canadian History, told through Indigenous perspectives.
- Pieces – Join 19-year-old Jeremy Ratt on a journey to understand his Indigenous Identity.
Watch
- Wawahte: Stories of Residential School Survivors
- Residential Schools | The National Film Board Archive
- CBCGem’s Free Truth and Reconciliation Collection
Book Ideas
- Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada by Canadian Geographic
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
- Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer
- Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
- From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle