The following reading list is a selection of the growing number of books, websites, and articles that document the history and legacy of residential schools. It is by no means complete and is a work in progress. The original list was compiled by the Legacy of Hope Foundation with additional resources added by the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation and Project of Heart.
[slider title=”Ages 4–8″]
- Campbell, Nicola I., with illustrations by Kim LeFave. Shin-chi’s Canoe. Toronto, ON: Groundwood/House of Anansi, 2008.
- Campbell, Nicola I., with illustrations by Kim LeFave. Shi-shi-etko. Toronto, ON: Groundwood/House of Anansi, 2005.
- Eyvindson, Peter. Kookum’s Red Shoes. Illustrated by Keiron Flamand. Winnipeg, MB: Pemmican Publications, 1999.
- Kusugak, Michael Arvaarluk. Arctic Stories. Illustrated by Vladyana Langer Krykorka. Toronto, ON: Annick Press Ltd., 1998.
- Bouchard, David, with illustrations by Nidhi Chanani. Beaver and Porcupine. Oakville, ON: Rubicon Publishing Ltd, 2011. (part of series: Turtle Island Voices)
- Cutting, Robert. That’s Awesome! Oakville, ON: Rubicon Publishing Ltd., 2011. (part of series: Turtle Island Voices)
- Cutting, Robert. Our Reserve. Oakville, ON: Rubicon Publishing Ltd., 2011. (part of series: Turtle Island Voices.) To access the Turtle Island Voices series visit: http://canada.turtleislandvoices.com/index.html
- Chanie’s Life Journey – This Story Map chronicles the life of Chanie Wenjack, and engages us in the ongoing conversation about truth and reconciliation.
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[slider title=”Ages 9–12″]
- André, Julie-Ann, Willett, Mindy. We Feel Good Out Here. Markham, ON: Fifth House Ltd, 2008.
- Dupuis, Jenny Kay and Kathy Kacer. I Am Not A Number. Second Story Press, 2016
- Jordan-Fenton, Christy and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. A Stranger at Home. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2011.
- Jordan-Fenton, Christy and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. Fatty Legs. Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2010.
- Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. When I Was Eight. Annick Press, ON 2013
- Loyie, Larry. As Long As The Rivers Flow, illustrations by Constance Brissenden. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books, 2002.
- Mitchell, Brandon and Tara Audibert. Lost Innocence. The Healthy Aboriginal Network, BC 2013 (NOTE: has a companion Teacher’s Guide)
- Olsen, Sylvia, Rita Morris, and Ann Sam. No Time to Say Goodbye: Children’s Stories of Kuper Island Residential School. Winlow, BC: Sono Nis Press, 2001.
- Pokiak-Fenton, Margaret. Not My Girl. Annick Press, 2014
- Robertson, David. When We Were Alone. Portage and Main Press, MB. 2016
- Sterling, Shirley. My Name is Seepeetza. Vancouver, BC: Douglas & McIntyre, 1993.
- Van Camp, Richard. We Sang You Home. Orca Books, BC 2016
- Chanie’s Life Journey – This Story Map chronicles the life of Chanie Wenjack, and engages us in the ongoing conversation about truth and reconciliation.
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[slider title=”Ages 12–14″]
- David Neel, Suzanne Fournier, Ernie Crey . Stolen from Our Embrace: The Abduction of First Nations Children and the Restoration of Aboriginal Communities. Vancouver, BC: Douglas & Mcintyre, 1998.
- Fortune, Len. A is for assimilation The ABC’s of Canada’s Aboriginal People and Residential Schools. Southampton, ON: Ningwakwe Learning Press, 2011.
- Hill, Gord. 500 Years of Resistance Comic Book. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press, 2010.
- Klockars, Donna. Pulling For Stz’uminus: The Pearl Harris Story. Ladysmith, BC: Stz’uminus Education, 2010.
- Loyie, Larry, with illustrations by Constance Brissenden. Goodbye Buffalo Bay. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 2009.
- McLean, Lynne Sherry. Where Mary Went. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 2010.
- Robertson, David, 7 Generations: Ends/Begins, Portage & Main Pr., 2010.
- Robertson, David, 7 Generations: Scars, HighWater Press, 2010.
- Robertson, David, 7 Generations: The Pact, HighWater Press, 2011.
- Robertson, David, Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story, HighWater Press, 2012.
- Saracuse, Tara. Island Kids. Victoria, BC: Brindle & Glass, 2010.
- Seale, Doris (Santee/Cree), and Beverly Slapin, eds., A Broken Flute: The Native Experience in Books for Children, Rowman Altamira, 2007.
- Chanie’s Life Journey – This Story Map chronicles the life of Chanie Wenjack, and engages us in the ongoing conversation about truth and reconciliation.
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[slider title=”History”]
- Adams, Howard. Prisons of Grass. Saskatoon, SK: Fifth House Publishers, Revised Edition, 1989.
- Barman, Jean and Jan Hare. Good Intentions Gone Awry: Emma Crosby and the Methodist Mission on the Northwest Coast. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia Press, 2007.
- Berger, Thomas. Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland: the Report of the Mckenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry. Ottawa, ON: Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1977.
- Cariboo Tribal Council. Impact of the Residential School. Williams Lake, BC, 1991.
- Chartrand, Larry N., Tricia E. Logan, and Judy D. Daniels. Métis History and Experience and Residential Schools in Canada/Histoire et expériences des Métis et les pensionnats au Canada. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2006.
- Deiter, Constance. From Our Mothers’ Arms: The Intergenerational Impact of Residential Schools in Saskatchewan. Toronto, ON: United Church Publishing House, 1999.
- Dickason, Olive Patricia. Canada’s First Nations: A History of Founding Peoples From Earliest Times. Toronto, ON: McClelland and Stewart, 1992.
- Grant, Agnes. No End of Grief: Indian Residential Schools in Canada. Winnipeg, MB: Pemmican, 1996.
- Huel, Raymond J.A. Proclaiming the Gospel to the Indians and Métis. Edmonton, AB: University of Alberta Press, 1996.
- Jaine, Linda. Residential Schools: The Stolen Years. Saskatoon, SK: University of Saskatchewan, University Extension Press, 1993.
- King, David. A Brief Report of the Federal Government of Canada’s Residential School System for Inuit/Brefcompte-rendu du Régime du pensionnats pour les Inuit du gouvernement fédéral du Canada. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2006.
- Lascelles, Thomas A. Roman Catholic Indian Residential Schools in British Columbia. Order of OMI in BC, 1990.
- Métis Nation of Alberta. Métis Memories of Residential Schools: A Testament to the Strength of the Métis. Edmonton, AB: Métis Nation of Alberta, 2004.
- Miller, J.R. Shingwauk’s Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press, 1996.
- Millions, Erin J., Ties Undone: A Gendered and Racial Analysis of the Impact of the 1885 Northwest Rebellion in the Saskatchewan District, Saskatoon, SK: University of Saskatchewan, 2004.
- Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council. Indian Residential Schools: The Nuu-chah-nulth Experience. Port Alberni, BC: Nuu-chahnulth Tribal Council, 1996.
- Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP). Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Volume 1, Chapter 10: “Residential Schools”. Ottawa, ON: Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1996.
- Sproule-Jones, Megan, Crusading for the Forgotten: Dr. Peter Bryce, Public Health, and Prairie Native Residential Schools*, Can Bull Med Hist., 1996: 13(2): 199-24.
- Titley, E. Brian. A Narrow Vision: Duncan Campbell Scott and the Administration of Indian Affairs in Canada. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia Press, 1986.
- Van Kirk, Sylvia. Many Tender Ties: Women In Fur-Trade Society, 1670–1870. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1980.
- Wagamese, Richard. Indian Horse. Vancouver, BC: Douglas and McIntyre, 2012.
- Younging, Gregory, Jonathan Dewar, and Mike DeGagné, eds. Response, Responsibility, and Renewal: Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Journey/Réponse, responsabilité et renouveau. Cheminement du Canada vers la vérité et la réconciliation. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2009.
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[slider title=”Memoirs”]
- Ahenakew, Edward. Voices of the Plains Cree. Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart, 1973.
- Apakark Thrasher, Anthony. Skid Row Eskimo. Toronto, ON: Griffin House, 1976.
- Blondine-Perrin, Alice. My Heart Shook Like a Drum. Nepean, ON: Borealis Press, 2009.
- Brass, Eleanor. I Walk in Two Worlds. Calgary, AB: Glenbow Museum, 1987.
- Campbell, Maria. Halfbreed. Halifax, NS: Formac Publishing Company Limited, 1973.
- Canadien, Albert. From Lishamie. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 2010.
- Dandurand, Joseph A. Looking into the Eyes of My Forgotten Dreams. Wiarton, ON: Kegedonce Press, 1998.
- Ennamorato, Judith. Sing the Brave Song. New York, NY: Raven Press, 1999.
- Fontaine, Theodore. Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools: A Memoir. Victoria, BC: Heritage House, 2010.
- French, Alice. My Name is Masak. Winnipeg, MB: Peguis, 1976.
- Goodwill, Jean and Norma Sluman, eds. John Tootoosis. Winnipeg, MB: Pemmican, 1990.
- Remy-Sawyer, Therese. Living in Two Worlds. A Gwichi’n Woman Tells her True Story. Trafford Publishing, 2009.
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[slider title=”Residential Schools”]
- Dyck, Noel. Differing Visions: Administering Indian Residential Schooling in Prince Albert, 1867–1967. Hubbards: Fernwood Publishing, 1997.
- Furniss, Elizabeth. Victims of Benevolence: The Dark Legacy of the Williams Lake Residential School. Vancouver, BC: Arsenal Pulp Press, 1995.
- Glavin, Terry and former students of St. Mary’s. Amongst God’s Own: The Enduring Legacy of St. Mary’s Mission. Mission, BC: Longhouse Publishing, 2002.
- Graham, Elizabeth. The Mush Hole: Life at Two Indian Residential Schools. Waterloo, ON: Heffle Publishing, 1997.
- Grant, Agnes. Finding My Talk: How Fourteen Canadian Native Women Reclaimed their Lives after Residential School. Markham, ON: Fifth House Books, 2004.
- Haig-Brown. Resistance and Renewal: Surviving the Indian Residential School. Vancouver, BC: Arsenal Pulp Press, 1988.
- Jack, Agnes. Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 2006.
- Joe, Rita with Lynn Henry. Song of Rita Joe: Autobiography of a Mi’kmaq Poet. Charlottetown, PE: Ragweed Press, 1996.
- Johnston, Basil H. Indian School Days. Toronto, ON: Key Porter Books, 1988.
- Kennedy, Dan. Recollections of an Assiniboine Chief. Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart, 1972.
- Knockwood, Isabelle. Out of the Depths: The Experiences of Mi’kmaw Children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, N.S. Hubbards, NS: Roseway Publishing, 1994.
- Lawrence, Mary. My People, Myself. Halfmoon Bay, BC: Caitlin Press, 1996.
- Milloy, John S., A National Crime: The Canadian Government and the Residential School System (1879-1986), Winnipeg, MB: The University of Manitoba Press, 1999.
- Moran, Bridget. Stoney Creek Woman: The Story of Mary John. Vancouver, BC: Arsenal Pulp Press, 1997.
- Willis, Jane. Geniesh: An Indian Girlhood. Toronto, ON: New Press, 1973.
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[slider title=”Legacy and Reconciliation”]
- Assembly of First Nations. Breaking the Silence: An Interpretive Study of Residential School Impact and Healing, as Illustrated by the Stories of First Nation Individuals. Ottawa, ON: Assembly of First Nations, 1994.
- Battiste, Marie and Jean Barman, eds. First Nations Education in Canada: The Circle Unfolds. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia Press, 1995.
- Burnaby, Barbara. Languages and Their Role in Educating Native Children. Toronto, ON: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Press, 1980.
- Castellano, Marlene Brant, Linda Archibald, and Mike DeGagné, eds. From Truth to Reconciliation: Transforming the Legacy of residential schools/De la vérité à la réconciliation. Transformer l’héritagedes pensionnats. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2008.
- Chrisjohn, Roland, Andrea Bear Nicholas, Karen Stote, James Craven (Omahkohkiaayo i’poyi), Tanya Wasacase, Pierre Loiselle, and Andrea O. Smith. An Historic Non-Apology, Completely and Utterly Not Accepted. http://www.marxmail.org/ApologyNotAccepted.htm
- Chrisjohn, Roland and Sherri Young. The Circle Game: Shadows and Substance in the Indian Residential School Experience. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 1997.
- Crey, Ernie and Suzanne Fournier. Stolen From Our Embrace: Abduction of First Nation Children and the Restoration of Aboriginal Communities. Toronto, ON: Douglas & McIntyre, 1997.
- McKegney, Sam, Magic Weapons: Aboriginal Writers Remaking Community after Residential School, Winnipeg, MB: University of Manitoba Press, 2007.
- Regan, Paulette. Unsettling the Settler Within: Indian Residential Schools, Truth Telling, and Reconciliation in Canada. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia Press, 2010.
- Schissel, Bernard and Terry Wotherspoon. The Legacy of School for Aboriginal People: Education, Oppression, and Emancipation. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press, 2003.
- Wadden, Marie. Where the Pavement Ends: Canada’s Aboriginal Recovery Movement and the Urgent Need for Reconciliation. Toronto, ON: Douglas & McIntyre, 2008.
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[slider title=”Fiction”]
- Alexie, Robert Arthur. Porcupines and China Dolls. Don Mills, ON: Stoddart, 2009.
- Akiwenzie-Damm, Kateri and Josie Douglas, eds. Skins: Contemporary Indigenous Writing. Wiarton, ON:
Kegedonce Press and Alice Springs: Jukurrpa Books, 2000. - Armstong, Jeannette. Slash, Revised. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 2007.
- Blue Cloud, Peter. “Weaver Spider’s Web.” In All My Relations: An Anthology of Contemporary Canadian Native Fiction, ed. Thomas King. Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart, 1990.
- Boyden, Joseph. Born With a Tooth. Toronto, ON: Cormorant Books, 2009.
- Gedalof, Robin, ed. Paper Stays Put: A Collection of Inuit Writing. Edmonton, AB: Hurtig Publishers, 1980.
- Ipellie, Alootook. Arctic Dreams and Nightmares. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 1993.
- Maracle, Lee. Ravensong: A Novel. Vancouver, BC: Press Gang Publishers, 1993.
- Moses, Daniel David and Terry Goldie, eds. An Anthology of Canadian Native Literature in English. Toronto, ON: Oxford University Press, 1998.
- Mosionier, Beatrice Culleton. In Search of April Raintree. Winnipeg, MB: Pemmican, 1999.
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[slider title=”Plays”]
- Highway, Tomson. Dry Lips Oughta Move To Kapuskasing. Saskatoon, SK: Fifth House Publishing, 1989.
- Kiss of the Fur Queen. Toronto, ON: Doubleday, 1998.
- The Rez Sisters. Saskatoon, SK: Fifth House Publishing, 1988.
- Lakevold, Dale and Darrell Racine. Misty Lake: A Play. Winnipeg, MB: Loon Books, 2006.
- Loring, Kevin. Where the Blood Mixes: A Play. Vancouver, BC: Talon Books, 2009.
- Loyie, Larry and Vera Manuel. Two Plays About Residential School. Vancouver, BC: Living Traditions, 1998.
- Moses, Daniel David. Brebeuf’s Ghost. Toronto, ON: Exile Editions, 2000.
- Simon, Lorne Joseph. Stones and Switches. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 1994.
- Taylor, Drew Hayden. Toronto at Dreamer’s Rock. Education is Our Right: Two One-Act Plays. Saskatoon, SK: Fifth House Publishers, 1990.
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[slider title=”Poetry”]
- Armstrong, Jeannette and Lally Grauer, eds. Native Poetry in Canada: A Contemporary Anthology. Peterborough, ON: Broadview Press, 2001.
- Dumont, Marilyn. A Really Good Brown Girl. London, ON : Brick Books, 1996.
- Dumont, Marilyn. That Tongued Belonging. Wiarton, ON: Kegedonce Press, 2007.
- Johnson, Emily Pauline. Flint and Feather. 1912. Reprint, Toronto, ON: Guardian Printing for Chiefswood National Historic Site, 1997.
- Joe, Rita. Poems of Rita Joe. Halifax, NS: Abanaki Press, 1978.
- Songs of Eskasoni. Charlottetown, PE: Ragweed Press, 1988.
- Redbird, Duke. Loveshine and Red Wine. Elliot Lake, ON: Woodland Studios Publishing, 1981.
- Ruffo, Armand Garnet. Opening in the Sky. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books, 1994.
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[slider title=”International Experiences”]
- Adams, David Wallace. Education for Extinction: American Indians and the Boarding School Experience 1875–1928. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 1997.
- Bartels, Dennis A. and Alice L. Bartels. When the North Was Red: Aboriginal Education in Soviet Siberia. Montreal, QC: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1995.
- Child, Brenda J. Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families 1900–1940. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2000.
- Ellis, Clyde. To Change Them Forever: Indian Education at the Rainy Mountain Boarding School, 1893–1920. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma, 1996.
- Lomawaima, K. Tsianina. They Called it Prairie Light: The Story of the Chilocco Indian School. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 1995.
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