“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.
This year, we want to remind you about some of the fantastic resources we shared last year, and offer some new additional opportunities for learning more. Please note that because we want to not only mourn and acknowledge the ongoing legacies of residential schooling but also celebrate Indigenous resilience and excellence, this year’s resources explore a range of topics, voices, and experiences not limited to residential schooling.
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
- University of BC – Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education
- University of Alberta – Indigenous Canada
Podcasts
- The Secret Life of Canada – A podcast about the “untold and undertold history of Canada.”
- All My Relations – A show that explores what it means to be Indigenous through topics including food, DNA testing, and sexuality.
- Métis in Space – Two brilliant Métis women, Chelsea Vowel and Molly Swain, drink wine and review sci-fi movies and television shows.
- 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
- Ginger Gosnell-Myers, “Canadian Shame: A History of Residential Schools”
- Kevin Lamoureux, “Truth and Reconciliation”
- National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation
- Wawahte: Stories of Residential School Survivors
- Residential Schools | The National Film Board Archive
- CBCGem’s Free Truth and Reconciliation Collection
Books
- This Wound is a World by Billy-Ray Belcourt, -A poetry collection that explores Indigenous pain, joy, and relationality
- Five Little Indians by Michelle Good—Giller prize winning novel depicting three residential school survivors attempting to come to terms with the past and find a way forward
- 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
Children’s Books
- When We Were Alone by David Robertson
- I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer
Groups Working for Reconciliation
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Na-mi-quai-ni-mak Community Fund
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
- Native Women’s Association of Canada
Social Media
- Tavia Christina—A multidisciplinary Métis artist
- James Jones—Traditional hoop dancer who shares his performances and educates audiences on Indigenous topics and cultures
Scholarship
- Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance and Islands of Decolonial Love