National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Book Recommendations | TBPL Research Blog

Truth and reconciliation comes with a lot of responsibility not only for the descents of those that colonized and settled on Turtle Island, but also for those that come here today to call this land their new home. We have a responsibility to learn about the history of this land, and its people. As were never truly taught in its entirety. Truth and reconciliation day asks us to take a hard look at the history of Canada. It requires us to be reflective, open, and honest.

But where can we start? One of the ways I found learning about people’s different experiences and perspectives is through reading memoirs and autobiographies. They provide a means to connect to an individual and their story. As if talking to a friend about life experience over a cup of tea. You come not only to care about what has happened to this new person in your life, but also to better understand how their life unfolded.

Over the course of the year, I've read or started reading the following memoirs. I think they are a great starting point for those that wish to gain more knowledge and perspective on what is missing from our history books.

For Joshua, written by Richard Wagamese is a beautifully written work where Richard is trying to reconnect with his son Joshua. Having lost contact with Joshua due to an unhealthy coping mechanism used to process hardships and trauma experienced throughout his life, Richard works towards being a better father through the writing of this book. He follows the tradition of Ojibway men introducing one's child(ren) to the world. To do so, he walks the reader through his life as he reflects and finds connection to himself, and all aspects of his life that were torn away from as a child.

For Joshua, provides insight to the experience of Indigenous children that were separated from their families against their will. How stripping individuals of their connection to family, community, culture, and identity can have devastating and lifelong effects. How one action can affect the generations that follow and leave people hurt and questioning their own identity.

The second autobiography that I listened to this year was A Two-Spirit Journey, written by Ma-nee Chacaby with Mary Louisa Plummer and narrated by Marsha Knight. A Two-Spirit Journey navigates the intersectionality of Ma-nee’s multifaceted life. She uses her voice to help others in their journey and to gain a new perspective.

Ma-nee begins her story with a brief family history; she focuses on her kokum’s (grandmother) life, more so than others. In part, because Ma-nee’s kokum was the one who raised her and taught her many lessons. Ma-nee progresses through her life, laying out her relationship with family members and those in her community of Ombabika. She discusses heart-wretching experiences that she both witnessed and experienced herself. While Ma-nee was not herself taken to a residential school, she experienced the impacts of its dark legacy as she witnessed friends, family, and the community changed with dealing with the aftermath

Ma-nee’s writing is straightforward and does not pull any punches. A Two-Spirit Journey is not always an easy book to read and readers might find the topics discussed in the book to be difficult. It is a book that requires breaks to reflect and process what is being shared. It truly is a worthwhile read.

Note: Something else that I found beneficial about listening to A Two-Spirit Journey audiobook is getting to hear the proper pronunciation of Ojibwe words as a non-Indigenous person.

Another book that I began reading this year is The Knowing by Tanya Talaga. The Knowing is not a traditional memoir. Tanya Talaga blends her investigative writing with her personal account of trying to find a family member that disappeared after being sent to a hospital.

She writes about the unspoken history of Canada bringing to light the impact of government systems that actively worked in disappearing Indigenous peoples. She discusses the ongoing and lasting effects of these colonizing and government systems on Indigenous peoples throughout Canada.

While the subject matter of The Knowing is dark and painful, Tanya Talaga also writes with hope. She documents the reclamation of Indigenous identity, being reunited with loved and lost ones, and working on recovery and healing after being continuously opposed.

Note: If you are not a big reader, The Knowing was made into a 4 part docuseries. Available in English and Cree.

In truth there are so many great books to read by Indigenous authors. As someone who is looking to expand their knowledge you really can’t go wrong with picking any book in our Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC). If biographies are not your preferred genre of book, we also have books on these topics in our collection:

Ogitchide Pakanegaywin (Customs)
Anishinaabe Weshkat Dibaajimon (First Peoples History)
Kikinaamaadiiwigamikoon (Residential Schools)
Bimadiziwin (Social Conditions)
Kwe (Women)

This is by no means an extensive list of the available book topics in the IKC. The IKC collection is diverse in the topics that it covers. Come to any TBPL branch to view our IKC collection.

Check out these FNMI staff-created lists highlighting TBPL’s Indigenous Knowledge Center collections.

Other titles in our collections that you may be interested in: