June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is the perfect opportunity to celebrate First Nations, Metis, and Inuit culture and heritage by immersing ourselves in their stories. Here are a few of the most compelling books by North America's Indigenous peoples I have come across:
They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School isa powerful memoir of Bev Sellars’ childhood spent in a Williams Lake residential school. Not only does she provide insight on the effects of the trauma she and her people endured, she details her own journey to healing. It is an important read to better understand the experiences of Indigenous people in Canada.
For a fiction read, anything by Louise Erdrich is captivating but The Roundhouse is an especially gripping novel. When 13-year-old Joseph’s mother is violently raped, he will stop at nothing to seek justice for the crime that tears his family apart.
Be sure to check out Starlight, the final novel by Richard Wagamese about an Indigenous man who gives shelter to a woman escaping abuse. Although unfinished due to his death in 2017, the novel is written beautifully with a profound story, moving characters, and a striking sense of setting.
For a story told in an unconventional format, tryRed: A Haida Manga by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas. Using a unique mix of traditional Haida imagery and storytelling in the format of Japanese manga, this is a tragic tale based on a true story of a prideful leader who seeks revenge on those who abducted his sister.
Finally, Our Story: Aboriginal Voices of Canada’s Past is a collection of short stories by talented Canadian Aboriginal writers such as Brian Maracle, Basil Johnston and Thomas King. Told in ways that are both educational and entertaining, their stories will open your eyes to their cultures and perspectives of Canadian history.
For more information on great Indigenous reads, visit the library in person, email us at AskUs@nwpl.ca or call us at 604-527-4666.
