Reconciliation through literature

Opinion

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day of acknowledgement to recognize the multi-generational effects of the Canadian residential school system. Next week, on Sept. 30, we take time to honour the survivors, victims, and families impacted by residential schools.

Orange Shirt Day takes place on the same date and is meant to raise awareness about the children who were taken in the residential school system. The orange shirt represents the loss of freedom and culture that many Indigenous children experienced. Reconciliation is an ongoing, meaningful process that requires the acknowledgement of past injustices and respect for Indigenous peoples. Literature is a wonderful way to learn about Indigenous experiences and culture. Here are some books written by Indigenous authors that showcase powerful messages.

‘SMALL CEREMONIES’

“Small Ceremonies” by Kyle Edwards is a coming-of-age novel set in Winnipeg. It tells the heart-wrenching story of a group of Indigenous high school students who grow up with hopes, fears and struggles. Tomahawk, who plays for his high school’s failing hockey team, is constantly reminded of his uncertain future and his lack of “some skill” that everyone around him seems to have. Clinton is loved by all his teachers, but his “good kid” character is a desperate attempt not to fall into the world of gang violence like his older brother. Floyd has amazing talent on the ice, yet behind this talent he is covering his deep-rooted insecurity about his multiracial heritage. “Small Ceremonies” follows a community full of uniquely complicated characters searching for purpose. This novel is heartbreaking, yet full of humour as each individual navigates identity, trauma, recovery and the hardships of growing up in a land that doesn’t love you. This novel can be found in the Brandon Public Library.

‘THIS PLACE:

150 YEARS RETOLD’

“This Place: 150 Years Retold” is a graphic novel anthology that showcases 11 Indigenous writers, eight illustrators and two colour artists. The book portrays moments in Canadian history over the past 150 years through multiple points of view, including Métis, Inuit, Cree, Dene, Anishinaabe and Mi’kmaq. Each story begins with a brief background explanation by its author, along with a timeline listing significant events that occurred around this time and a selected bibliography for reference. These aspects make this book perfect as a learning tool. However, the best parts are the entertaining stories and the beautiful artwork. “This Place” can be found in the Neelin High School library and the Brandon Public Library.

‘AUTUMN PELTIER,

WATER WARRIOR’

Telling the story of real-life water protectors, “Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior” is a children’s book by Carole Lindstrom that celebrates Autumn Peltier and her great aunt Josephine Mandamin, two Indigenous rights activists. This book is about the Indigenous women who have long cared for the land and water, which in turn sustained life on Earth. The Earth honoured their ancestors and provided for future generations. But there was a time when these teachings were nearly drowned out, leaving their communities and environments in danger without clean water. Then came Anishinaabe elder Grandma Josephine and her great-niece, Autumn. This stunning picture book encourages readers to walk in the footsteps of the water warriors before them, to protect and fight for clean water in their communities. To speak for the water, sing for the water and dance for the water. This book is available at the Brandon Public Library.

‘A MINOR CHORUS’

“A Minor Chorus,” by Billy-Ray Belcourt, is a story about Indigenous survival in a settler society. It powerfully expresses the effects of intergenerational trauma and injustices that Indigenous communities still face to this day. Set in northern Alberta, a queer Indigenous doctoral student steps away from his dissertation to write a novel as his brain is caught up between his childhood on the reservation and his new life of the urban intelligentsia. This unnamed narrator writes about a series of encounters with deeply complex adults, and through these conversations he is haunted by past memories with his cousin Jack. He sees himself in Jack, which sends him into a spiral about his future as the effects of colonialism are still prominent in his community. This story shines light on the realities of Indigenous survival and can be found in the Shoppers Mall location of the Western Manitoba Regional Library.

All these books and many more are crucial to reconciliation and Canadian history. They reflect the hardships Indigenous peoples have gone through and their ongoing battle to repair the damage. This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is the perfect time to explore Indigenous culture and stories. Reconciliation begins with respect through learning, and spending the day heading down to the Brandon Public Library is a good start.

» Georgia Feng is a Grade 12 student at École secondaire Neelin High School.