As someone who doesn't remember learning about this in high school, let alone knowing that it was still going on in my adolescence, it's important to me to learn about this now and teach it to my children.
Here are some resources you may find helpful too:
Picture Books
The story of the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. When she asks her grandfather how to say something in his language, Cree, he admits that his language was stolen from him when he was a boy. The little girl then sets out to help her grandfather find his language again. This sensitive, beautifully illustrated picture book explores the intergenerational impact of Canada's residential school system, which separated young Indigenous children from their families.(Description from Goodreads)
Beautiful story of a child and her grandfather. As a librarian, I can't help but appreciate that the book she helped her grandfather with came from her school library.
Nibi is the Anishinaabemowin word for water. In Nibi's Water Song, Nibi is an Indigenous girl on the search for clean water to drink. Though she is faced with repeated obstacles, Nibi's joyful and determined energy become a catalyst for change and action as her community and, in widening circles, the country and government, rally around her to make clean drinking water available for all. There is a strong underlying message that even when a problem seems too large to face, every bit that everyone does helps. And inaction is not an option.Sunshine Tenasco, an Anishinabeg activist for clean water, has an amazing optimistic spirit that shines through her writing. The hopeful tone and lyrical read-aloud quality of this gentle allegorical tale open the door to conversations and action aimed at young children, whether they are on a reserve that does not have clean water or they are living with access to clean water. Chief Lady Bird's stunning, original artwork carries through the themes of strength, hope, and resilience in an incredible collaboration of talent.
(Description from Goodreads)
Shi-shi-etko, written by Nicola I. Campbell; illustrated by Kim LaFave
In just four days young Shi-shi-etko will have to leave her family and all that she knows to attend residential school.She spends her last days at home treasuring the beauty of her world -- the dancing sunlight, the tall grass, each shiny rock, the tadpoles in the creek, her grandfather's paddle song. Her mother, father and grandmother, each in turn, share valuable teachings that they want her to remember. And so Shi-shi-etko carefully gathers her memories for safekeeping.Richly hued illustrations complement this gently moving and poetic account of a child who finds solace all around her, even though she is on the verge of great loss -- a loss that native people have endured for generations because of the residential schools system.Winner of the Anskohk Aboriginal Children's Book of the Year Award. Finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the Ruth Schwartz Award.
(Description from Goodreads)
When they arrive at school, Shi-shi-etko reminds Shinchi, her six-year-old brother, that they can only use their English names and that they can't speak to each other. For Shinchi, life becomes an endless cycle of church mass, school, and work, punctuated by skimpy meals. He finds solace at the river, clutching a tiny cedar canoe, a gift from his father, and dreaming of the day when the salmon return to the river — a sign that it’s almost time to return home. This poignant story about a devastating chapter in First Nations history is told at a child’s level of understanding.
(Description from Goodreads)
Online
Learn about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, Indigenous contributions to the War of 1812, reconciliation and more.
Learn how the Government of Canada is responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.
What other resources would you recommend?
Thank you so much for posting about this. This happened in our backyard, so to speak, and people throughout our communities are shattered.
ReplyDeleteThis list may be useful. It's a bit west coast-centric, but it also has lots of resources for children (scroll down for kids list).
A colleague shared this video made by Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, to support educators and families (or any adult) who needs or wants to have these conversations with children.