Library Spotlight: Posts

Kaitlyn's Book Pick: National Indigenous History Month

For National Indigenous History Month, Humber Libraries is collaborating with Indigenous Education & Engagement to highlight new and diverse Indigenous voices, histories and experiences across Turtle Island. Each Friday in June, a member of the IE&E community will recommend a book that has influenced, moved or inspired them. In turn, the library will share a recommended reading list that complements their selection of the week.

"Bob Joseph is an incredible storyteller of Indigenous history, issues, and perspectives while explaining how these topics  influence Indigenous people today. I have extended my knowledge of Indigenous-related topics through reading these books, even as an Indigenous woman.

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act is particularly interesting as it highlights many ways in which the Indian Act, which is federal legislation, controls the status of First Nations Peoples today. The power and control of First Nations Peoples, exercised by the government, is explained. Readers will truly be shocked that in modern day there are unjust legislations specific for one demographic…this book is bound to spark some emotions within the reader. 

My next selection is Bob Joseph's sequel, Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality. I believe that this book will answer many ally curiosities. If you want to learn about the unique barriers that Indigenous people of all sorts of backgrounds experience, this is a perfect text to explore. Additionally, this is a great guide for appropriate interactions with Indigenous folks on a personal and professional level."

Kaitlyn is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation, living in Toronto. She is the Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator at Humber College and actively works with her team to partner with Indigenous communities to develop outreach initiatives that are meaningful, authentic, and responsive to the strengths and diverse needs of Indigenous learners, families, and communities.

If you liked this week's pick, why not check out some further selected resources,  available at Humber Libraries?

 

Treaty Words by Aimée Craft; Luke Swinson (Illustrator), 2021.

The first treaty that was made was between the earth and the sky. It was an agreement to work together. We build all of our treaties on that original treaty. On the banks of the river that have been Mishomis's home his whole life, he teaches his granddaughter to listen--to hear both the sounds and the silences, and so to learn her place in Creation. Most importantly, he teaches her about treaties--the bonds of reciprocity and renewal that endure for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.  Accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Luke Swinson and an author's note at the end, Aimée Craft affirms the importance of understanding an Indigenous perspective on treaties in this evocative book that is essential for readers of all ages.

 

 

 

 

Becoming Kin: An Indigenous call to unforgetting the past and reimagining our future by Patty Krawec; Nick Estes (Foreword by), 2022. 

Weaving her own story with the story of her ancestors and with the broader themes of creation, replacement, and disappearance, Krawec helps readers see settler colonialism through the eyes of an Indigenous writer. Settler colonialism tried to force us into one particular way of living, but the old ways of kinship can help us imagine a different future. Krawec asks, What would it look like to remember that we are all related? How might we become better relatives to the land, to one another, and to Indigenous movements for solidarity? Braiding together historical, scientific, and cultural analysis, Indigenous ways of knowing, and the vivid threads of communal memory, Krawec crafts a stunning, forceful call to "unforget" our history. This remarkable sojourn through Native and settler history, myth, identity, and spirituality helps us retrace our steps and pick up what was lost along the way: chances to honor rather than violate treaties, to see the land as a relative rather than a resource, and to unravel the history we have been taught.

 

Métis Rising by Yvonne Boyer; Larry Chartrand, 2022. 

Métis Rising presents a remarkable cross-section of perspectives to demonstrate that there is no single Métis experience - only a common sense of belonging and a commitment to justice. The contributors to this unique collection, most of whom are Métis themselves, offer accounts ranging from personal reflections on identity to tales of advocacy against poverty and poor housing, and for the recognition of Métis rights. This extraordinary work exemplifies how contemporary Métis identity has been forged into a force to be reckoned with.

 

 

 

 

 

Talking back to the Indian Act : critical readings in settler colonial histories by Kelm, Mary-Ellen; Smith, Keith, 2018. 

Talking Back to the Indian Act: Critical Readings in Settler Colonial Histories is a comprehensive "how-to" guide for engaging with primary source documents. The intent of the book is to encourage readers to develop the skills necessary to converse with primary sources in more refined and profound ways. As a piece of legislation that is central to Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples and communities, and one that has undergone many amendments, the Indian Act is uniquely positioned to act as a vehicle for this kind of focused reading. Through an analysis of thirty-five sources pertaining to the Indian Act—addressing governance, gender, enfranchisement, and land—the authors provide readers with a much better understanding of this pivotal piece of legislation, as well as insight into the dynamics involved in its creation and maintenance.

 

 

The Gatherings : Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations by Shirley N. Hager and Mawopiyane, 2021.

In a world that more than ever needs all of our knowledge and wisdom to address the developing crises around us, The Gatherings shows how Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can come together to create mutually beneficial relationships.