Summer "Reading" List

After you've taken the time to engage with the resources in "Exploring our Collective History?" and "What is Reconciliation?", we encourage you to listen to some storytellers.

Thomas King, "The Truth about Stories: A Native Narrative"

In his 2003 Massey lecture, award-winning author and scholar Thomas King looks at Indigenous experiences and imagination. Across this 5-part lecture series, King uses storytelling to trace literature and history, religion and politics, popular culture and social protest, in an effort to make sense of North America's relationship with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island. (1)

Seven Fallen Feathers

Seven Fallen Feathers is a powerful account of the deaths of seven Indigenous youth in Thunder Bay. Many settler Canadians put the legacy of colonialism behind them, believing these events to be a part of a shameful past on collective journey towards reconciliation. Talaga's stories makes it impossible to ignore the systemic and institutional violence prevalent in Canada. (2)

Indian Horse

In the late 1950’s Ontario, eight-year-old Saul Indian Horse is torn from his Ojibway family and committed to one of the notorious Catholic Residential Schools. In this oppressive environment, Saul is denied the freedom to speak his language or embrace his Indigenous heritage while he witnesses horrendous abuse at the hands of the very people entrusted with his care. Despite this, Saul finds salvation in the unlikeliest of places and favourite winter pastime -- hockey. Fascinated by the game, he secretly teaches himself to play, developing a unique and rare skill. He seems to see the game in a way no other player can.

His talent leads him away from the misery of the school, eventually leading him to the Pros. But the ghosts of Saul’s past are always present, and threaten to derail his promising career and future. Forced to confront his painful past, Saul draws on the spirit of his ancestors and the understanding of his friends to begin the process of healing (Indian Horse, "About the Film") (3)

References:
  1. Ideas. (2003, November 7). The 2003 CBC Massey Lectures, "The Truth about Stories: A Native Narrative". CBC Radio. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/the-2003-cbc-massey-lectures-the-truth-about-stories-a-native-narrative-1.2946870
  2. CBC Books. (2017, August 2). Seven Fallen Feathers: Tanya Talaga. CBC Books. https://www.cbc.ca/books/seven-fallen-feathers-1.4232642
  3. Campanelli, S. (Director). (2017). Indian Horse [Film]. Devonshire Productions/Screen Siren Pictures