This is a day for all Canadians to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. We encourage you to explore our resources available here at the Cape Breton Regional Library to start or continue your learning journey.
This year CBRL is featuring a selection of children’s picture books, novels and non-fiction titles which help to tell the story of residential school experiences in Canada.
Residential Schools Reading List for Children
- The Train by Jodie Callaghan
- When We Were Alone by David Robertson
- I Am Not A Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis
- Spirit Bear : Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams (Based on A True Story) by Cindy Blackstock
- Lucy & Lola ; When We Play Our Drums, They Sing! by Monique Gray Smith; illustrated by Julie Flett
- Shin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell; pictures by Kim LaFave
- Stolen Words by Melanie Florence; illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard.
- As Long as the Rivers Flow by James Bartleman
- Truth and Reconciliation by Simon Rose
- A Stranger at Home : a True Story by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton; artwork by Liz Amini-Holmes
- I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe
- I’m Finding my Talk by Rebecca Thomas; art by Pauline Young
- Residential Schools: With the Words and Images of Survivors by Larry Loyie
- Residential schools: the devastating impact on Canada’s Indigenous peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings and calls for action by Melanie Florence
- Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith
- These are my words : the Residential School diary of Violet Pesheens by Ruby Slipperjack
- Residential Schools by Heather C. Hudak
- Fatty Legs : A True Story by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton; artwork by Liz Amini-Holmes
- My Name is Seepeetza by Shirley Sterling
- Dreaming in Indian : Contemporary Native American Voices edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale
- Red Wolf by Jennifer Dance
- No Time to Say Goodbye : Children’s Stories of Kuper Island Residential School by Sylvia Olsen with Rita Morris and Ann Sam
- Amik Loves School: A Story of Wisdom The Seven Teachings Stories by Katherena Vermette
- Not my Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton; art by Gabrielle Grimard