Read | Be a ConnectR

Read: In Flanders Fields in Cree or Dene

The famous First World War poem In Flanders Fields has been translated into Cree and Dene, or watch it translated and spoken in Cree by Dolores Sand. National Indigenous Veterans Day is Nov. 8.

Read Equals on the Battlefields, but Not at Home

Heart, Read, True History

Indigenous Veterans: Equals on the Battlefields, but Not at Home is a blog post about the treatment of Indigenous people when they returned from fighting for Canada.

Read: Decolonizing Journalism

Cultural Understandings, Current Events, Head, Read

Duncan McCue’s Decolonizing Journalism: A Guide to Reporting in Indigenous Communities is designed to teach teaches aspiring journalists how to build respectful, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities when researching and sharing their stories.

Read: The Water Walker

Current Events, Kids/Family, Read, Spirit

The Water Walker by Anishinaabe author, illustrator and water protection activist Joanne Robertson tells the true story of Josephine Mandamin, an Ojibwe grandmother who walks to protect Nibi (water) for future generations.

Story Time with Kaluhya features The Water Walker on YouTube here

Decolonizing bookshelves

Head, Kids/Family, Read

The work of decolonization requires readers, young and old, to diversify the stories they consume. IndigiNews created this list for Decolonizing your teen’s bookshelf and this one for Decolonizing your child’s bookshelf.

Listen: Storytellers Podcast

Head, Listen, Read

Storykeepers: Let’s Talk Indigenous Books is a monthly podcast hosted by Jennifer David and Waubgeshig Rice. Each episode, they’re joined by a guest to discuss books by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit authors.

Learn about authentic engagement

Heart, Protocols, Read

Learn about Authentic Engagement of First Nations and Métis Traditional Knowledge Keepers in this guide created by the Wîcihitowin Conference Committee.

Learn to be anti-racist

Heart, Learn/Education, Read, Reconciliation 101

Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre sees how racism occurs at all levels of society and that anti-racism is an active way of seeing and being in the world, in order to transform it. To this end the ACLRC offers anti-racism training and resources through a learning toolkit with Calgary Anti-Racism Education

See what white privilege looks like

Head, Read, Reconciliation 101

YES! Magazine tackles the concept of white privilege and lays out examples of what it looks like in everyday life in their article, 10 Examples That Prove White Privilege Exists in Every Aspect Imaginable

Learn about white privilege

Head, Read, Reconciliation 101

Recognizing white privilege begins only with understand of what the term means. Learning for Justice breaks it down in an easy to understand way and explains the impact of systemic racism and bias in their article, ‘What is White Privilege, Really?’

Read: Aboriginal Peoples and Historic Trauma

Health & Wellness, Heart, Read

Understanding intergenerational trauma is important to address well-being in Indigenous communities. This paper, Aboriginal Peoples and Historic Trauma: The process of intergenerational transmission, by the National Collaboration Centre for Aboriginal Health introduces Trauma Theory and how it is transmitted through generations.

Learn about intergenerational trauma and healing

Read, Residential Schools, Spirit

This article on the Local Love website looks at how the trauma from residential schools can impact individuals and communities today. It looks at how intergenerational trauma has mental and physical effects and how to stop the cycle of intergenerational trauma and how can on heal from it.

Read about the need for diverse voices in media

Current Events, Heart, Read

In June 2020, Brandi Morin wrote for ELLE magazine this piece on how the media needs more voices of Black, Indigenous and people of colour to stop perpetuating systemic racism.

Resources from the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association

Body, Read, Reconciliation 101

The Saskatchewan Intercultural Association works to promote harmony among all people and offers programs and services that empower relieve barriers for Newcomers and Indigenous people. Their Cultural Resource Centre has links to resources on residential schools, Indigenous worldview, true history, languages and more.

Read: Children’s books by Teoni Spathelfer

Heart, Kids/Family, Read

Teoni Spathelfer writes the stories that “have always been part of who I am as far back as I can remember.” Little Wolf starts the series of three children’s books.

Decolonize Myself – A First Nations Perspective

Cultural Understandings, Head, Read

Read the Decolonize Myself blog for First Nations perspectives of colonialization, decolonialization, healing, and culture, and check out the resource links.

Browse GoodMinds for your next book

Head, Read, Shopping

GoodMinds.com a First Nations family-owned business focusing on First Nations, Metis and Inuit authorship and education. Browse through their amazing collection of Indigenous books.

Read: Lessons Learned

Read, Residential Schools, Spirit

Learn more about the residential school experience. Read ‘Lessons Learned’, a report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which shares experiences of residential school survivors and shapes future work towards truth-telling, reconciliation, and healing.

Read: An Introductory Guide To Understanding Indigenous Rights

Head, Read, True History

National accounting and tax firm MNP has released An Introductory Guide To Understanding Indigenous Rights. The book looks at Indigenous and Treaty Rights and Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Proceeds the book are being set aside within MNP’s Communities Forward community investment fund for the benefit of grassroots First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth initiatives.

ohpahotân I oohpaahotaan

Head, Read, Safe Spaces

The University of Saskatchewan has shared their Indigenous Strategy online. ohpahotân I oohpaahotaan let’s fly up together, challenges all of us to engage in the difficult work of resetting relationships.

Read: Life in the City of Dirty Water

Cultural Understandings, Heart, Read

Winnipeg environmental activist Clayton Thomas-Muller details what life was like growing up as an Indigenous youth in Winnipeg’s inner city: Life in the City of Dirty Water

“This is my story. It is the story of many Indigenous Peoples who find themselves in one of Canada’s inner cities with questions. It is the story of how we became dispossessed and how we rise.”

Read for Reconciliation: Medicine Wheel Education

Heart, Kids/Family, Read

If you are looking for resources for reconciliation to support youth, check out Medicine Wheel Education. They publish culturally authentic Indigenous books, resources and tools specialized for moral and cultural education for children. Titles include Beyond the Orange Shirt Story and Drum for the Heart.

Read: Shattering the Silence

Head, Read, Residential Schools

Download the ebook Shattering the Silence: The Hidden History of Indian Residential Schools in Saskatchewan, a resource for educators

Read: Action & Justice Everyday

Head, Read, Youth Perspective

Action & Justice Everyday is a post by Michael Redhead Champagne on his blog that is designed helps youth to discover their own path. Through his blogs he brings attention to problems faced by Indigenous Peoples, Calls to Action and Calls to Justice.

Read: A Line of Blood and Dirt

Head, Read, This Land

The book, A Line of Blood and Dirt: Creating the Canada-United States Border across Indigenous Lands, covers 150 years of history spanning two countries and dozens of ethnic groups. It’s a look at the messy and often violent history of the world’s longest undefended border.

Read: Red Dresses on Bare Trees

Current Events, Heart, Read

Read Red Dresses on Bare Trees: Stories and Reflections on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The book includes essays and reflections by both men and women, because it seeks to help bring balance to our collective, equally important and unique, roles and responsibilities. It hopes to incorporate Indigenous knowledge principles about relationships and love in the hope that we can begin to emulate and live our lives in balance.

Learn about racism in health care

Health & Wellness, Heart, Read, Reconciliation 101

In Plain Sight is the report of the Addressing Racism Review that is set to address Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in the British Columbia Health Care system.

Read the Summary Report or the Full Report

Learn about Bannock

Body, Food, Listen, Read

You know it’s delicious, but take a minute to learn more about bannock. Read and listen to the CBC Unreserved episode – Bannock: A brief history

Read: Indigenous Writes

Facts & Figures, Head, Read

In Indigenous Writes, author Chelsea Vowel, starts an important dialogue about social beliefs associated with the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canada. In 31 essays, Chelsea explores the Indigenous experience from the time of contact to the present through five categories: Terminology of Relationships; Culture and Identity; Myth-Busting; State Violence and Land, Learning, Law and Treaties.

Read: Eagle and the Crow

Read, Spirit

Eagle and the Crow, a story of peace, friendship and respect, as told by Vern Severight (Cote First Nation) on July 6, 2020

Library commitment to reconciliation

Cultural Understandings, Head, Read

The Saskatoon Public Library is continually seeking ways to engage and honour Indigenous perspectives to ensure that the library is reflective of the community. They have created a page for reconciliation with information and resources

Subscribe to Raven Reads

Body, Read, Shopping

Do you dream of having a curated collection of Indigenous literature and giftware? Dream no more and make it a reality. Sign up for Raven Reads, a subscription service for Indigenous books.

Hear and Support Indigenous Artists

Heart, Listen, Participate, Read

Hear from people like poet Rebecca Lea Thomas, writer Joshua Whitehead, and multidisciplinary artist Moe Clark.

Have Indigenous artists you love? Let us know and we can add them to our list. Email beaconnectr@gmail.com

Read: The North-West Is Our Mother

Head, Read, True History

Learn about about the fight of the Métis people for recognition in Canada. The North-West Is Our Mother is written by the great-grandniece of Louis Riel.

Listen to Jean Teillet talk about the book on the Sunday Edition.

Reconciliation Australia

Heart, Learn/Education, Read, Reconciliation 101

Learn about reconciliation happening in other places. Reconciliation Australia, promotes and facilitates respect, trust and positive relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Library recommended reconciliation reading lists

Head, Learn/Education, Participate, Read

Increasing libraries are getting onboard with Reconciliation – offering up activities, reading spaces and books in their branches.

If you can’t make it in, many libraries have recommendations of reads to start (or continue) you on your Reconciliation Journey

Vancouver Public Library

Ontario Public Libraries

Regina Public Library

Saskatoon Public Library

Read for Reconciliation

Head, Read

Different organizations have offered up their recommended lists to Read for Reconciliation. Check these out, or if you have one you are already using, please share it with us so we can add it to the list

Saskatchewan School Boards

Good Reads

CBC Books

5 things lists

Head, Read

CBC Indigenous have come up with 5 things you need to know. Check out their lists:

Indian Status: 5 more thing you need to know (Dispelling commonly held myths around First Nations and status cards)

5 things you might not know about Indigenous hunting and fishing rights (Hunting and fishing guaranteed under the constitution, but refined by court decisions)

Read writing on Reconciliation

Art & Music, Head, Read

Read the works of Richard Van Camp, a proud member of the Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation from Fort Smith, NWT, Canada from Fort Smith, NWT. He is a graduate of the En’owkin International School of Writing, the University of Victoria’s Creative Writing BFA Program, and the Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.

Explore Language Learning Websites

Head, Language, Learn/Education, Read

Omniglot is an online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages. Learn about the history of Indigenous languages and use its translation tools.

Cree Literacy Network promotes literacy in Cree language and culture.

Think about Investing for Economic Reconciliation

Business, Head, Read, Reconciliation 101

The Reconciliation and Responsible Investment Initiative released Advancing Reconciliation in Canada: A Guide for Investors, outlines five tangible steps that institutional investors can take to make economic reconciliation an integrated part of their practice.

Read Reclaiming Power and Place

Head, Heart, Learn/Education, Read, True History

The final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has two-volumes, calls for transformative legal and social changes, and delivers 231 individual Calls for Justice. (MMIW)

Read the entire report, or the Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.

Read Indigenous Magazines

Current Events, Head, Read

SAY Magazine

Muskrat Magazine

Aboriginal Business Magazine

The above links will connect you with news, current events, business and culture from a uniquely Indigenous perspective about issues that are significant to Reconciliation. Click here to stay current!

Learn About Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Current Events, Health & Wellness, Read, Spirit

Learn about the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) by visiting this website that is specific to the process of the inquiry. Or dive into this important new title addressing issues around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: Keetsahnak: Our Murdered and Missing Indigenous Sisters reveals “the tension between personal, political, and public action. . .as the contributors look at the roots of violence and how it diminishes life for all. Together, they create a model for anti-violence work from an Indigenous perspective.”

Learn the History of Louis Riel

Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Read, Reconciliation 101, Youth Perspective

Use graphic novels to introduce youth to history! Chester Brown, creator of the Louis Riel graphic novel, retells the history of the nineteenth-century Métis Rebellion lead by Prairie Métis Louis Riel. Get the graphic novel at Drawn and Quarterly.

Explore the history of Louis Riel in this video by the Cable Public Affairs Channel or this article in the Canadian Encyclopedia.

Read Indigenous Poetry

Art & Music, Heart, Read

Poetry in Voice

Muskrat Magazine on Indigenous Poetry

CBC’s List of 5 Indigenous Poetry Collections

Saskatoon Indigenous Poets Society

Use these sources to connect with the outstanding voices in Canada’s poetry scene. Interested in spoken word poetry? Some prominent and inspiring voices include Tenille Campbell, Kevin Wesaquate, Zoey Pricelys Roy, and ecoaborijanelle.

Connect with us to recommend an Indigenous poet!

Read Indigenous Autobiographies

Head, Learn/Education, Read, Spirit

The Tyee talks about Fatty Legs

The Education of Augie Merasty

CBC Book List of 15 Memoirs by Indigenous Writers

If autobiographies are your thing, here are a few titles that will get you started—including The Education of Augie Merasty, Richard Wagamese’s One Native Life, and The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew. These titles will educate and transform you.

Use Book Lists to Read for Reconciliation

Head, Learn/Education, Read, Reconciliation 101

Saskatoon Public Library

From the Heart

Government of Canada

Saskatchewan School Boards Association Reconciliation Reading List

Reconciliation starts with education and there are many great titles that can help you dive deep into a learning process around Indigenous history, culture and residential schools. Whether fiction or non-fiction is your preference, you’ll find a range of titles on these must-read lists.

Join or Form a Book Club About Reconciliation

Head, Learn/Education, Participate, Read

Edmonton’s Rise Book Club
Saskatoon Public Library: Read for Reconciliation

Book clubs are a great way to share the path of Reconciliation with friends, family and community. There are many great formats and book lists to borrow from. All you need is a few members and start reading!

Read Comic Books & Graphic Novels About Reconciliation

Head, Kids/Family, Learn/Education, Read, Youth Perspective

CBC Gaming/Comic Book Guide for Parents

Native Realities

Strong Nations

Comic books and graphic novels can be a great way to start the path towards Reconciliation—and there are many titles out there for kids and adults. Start with these lists to discover titles and authors!

Paths to Explore