Truth and Reconciliation: What We’re Reading
In Blackfoot teachings, we all share this land with one another. We also share our ways with each other - ways of knowing, living, and being on this land together.
In this spirit of sharing on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our Clinical Team picked a few stories and learnings that have impacted them along their paths toward Truth and Reconciliation.
Here’s what members of the team are currently reading:
Becoming a Matriarch - Helen Knott
Best-selling author Knott’s highly anticipated second book is a chronicle of grief, love, and legacy. Having lost both her mom and grandma in just over six months, forced to navigate the fine lines between matriarchy, martyrdom, and codependency, Knott realizes she must let go, not just of them, but of who she thought she was.
Speaking My Truth: Reflections on Reconciliation and Residential Schools - Aboriginal Healing Foundation
Drawn from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation's three-volume series Truth and Reconciliation, acclaimed veteran broadcast journalist, CBC Radio's Shelagh Rogers joins series editors Mike DeGagne and Jonathan Dewar to present these selected reflections, in reader format, on the lived and living experiences and legacies of Residential Schools and, more broadly, reconciliation in Canada.
Laughing with Trickster - Tomson Highway
Brilliant, jubilant insights into the glory and anguish of life from one of the world’s most treasured Indigenous creators. Trickster is zany, ridiculous. The ultimate, over-the-top, madcap lunatic. Here to remind us that the reason for existence is to have one blast of a time and to laugh ourselves to death. Celebrated author and playwright Tomson Highway brings his signature irreverence to an exploration of five themes central to the human condition: language, creation, sex and gender, humour, and death.
Warrior Girl Unearthed - Angeline Boulley
New York Times bestselling author Angeline Boulley takes us back into the world of Firekeeper's Daughter in this high-stakes mystery about the power of discovering your stolen history.
The Marrow Thieves - Cherie Dimaline
Young adult novel set in an apocalyptic dystopian future where Canada has been so damaged by global warming that everyone has been impacted by the consequences. The water level is rising, continents are fully submerged, and everyone is forced to migrate to survive. As a result, most of the population has lost the ability to dream, and are now experiencing severe psychological distress, making them difficult to govern. The only people who still have the ability to dream are Indigenous people.
What’s my Superpower - Aviaq Johnston
Nalvana feels like all of her friends have some type of superpower. She has friends with super speed (who always beat her in races), friends with super strength (who can dangle from the monkey bars for hours), and friends who are better than her at a million other things. Nalvana thinks she must be the only kid in town without a superpower. But then her mom shows Nalvana that she is unique and special—and that her superpower was right in front of her all along.
My Heart Fills with Happiness - Monique Gray Smith
The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy. International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.
Also Recommended:
Bad Cree - Jessica Johns
Rekindling the Sacred Fire - Chantal Fiola
The Strangers - Katherena Vermette.
We’d love for you to share what you’re reading or what stories impacted you!
Let us know in the comments or tag us on socials @TrellisYYC