What is Truth and Reconciliation Day for?
Sept. 30, 2021 is the first annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation — a day for all settlers in Canada to commemorate the truth of Canadian history, as well as to take action towards a reconciliation with the Indigenous communities by continuing to learn about the legacy of residential schools and by also celebrating Indigenous cultures.
To help get started, we have compiled some informative resources that come in various mediums and caters to people of all ages. This is a non-exhaustive list and we welcome further additions and suggestions. Please feel free to reach out to us at info@luckyironfish.com with the subject line "Suggested Addition to Truth & Reconciliation Page".
EDUCATIONAL CONTENT FOR KIDS (ORGANIZED BY GRADE LEVEL)
Check out the teaching resources archive compiled by National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation for interactive, educational content designed for kids. In the left column, you can even filter content by grade level or by language to find content that is most relevant for your family.
INFORMATIVE PODCASTS
source: Equal Futures Network, CBC
Some informative Indigenous-themed podcasts that can help you get started with appreciating and acknowledging the history and the culture of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples:
⦿ This Place is a 10 episode series that tells 150 years of Canadian history through Indigenous stories.
⦿ The Secret Life of Canada tells the history of Canada that probably did not make it to our high school textbooks.
⦿ Telling Our Twisted Histories is an 11-part series that explores 11 words whose meanings have been twisted by centuries of colonization (savage, reserve, Indian Time, etc.).
⦿ Red Man Laughing is an Indigenous arts and culture podcast that uses humour while exploring reconciliation.
For more, please visit the resource list from Equal Futures Network and CBC linked above.
VIDEOS, MOVIES, DOCUMENTARIES
source: Equal Futures Network, CBC
Next movie night, you can queue up one of the informative videos from the list below:
⦿ Stolen Children | Residential School Survivors Speak Out
⦿ There's Something In The Water
⦿ Angry Inuk
There is also a detailed catalogue of Indigenous Cinema you can find here and you can find more recommendations on the Equal Futures Network and CBC links above.
BOOKS WORTH READING
source: Equal Futures Network, CBC
⦿ The Inconvenient Indian — A Curious Account of Native People in North America
⦿ The Right to Be Cold — One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet
⦿ The Orange Shirt Story — The true story of Orange Shirt Day.
⦿ Seven Fallen Feathers — Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City
For more, please visit the resource list from Equal Futures Network and CBC linked above.
