Resources for National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
We recognize that Truth and Reconciliation is not contained to one day; it is an ongoing practice. Today and every day, we consider our responsibility as Treaty people.
Below, please find an incomplete and evolving list of resources in recognition of Truth and Reconciliation.
The resources below explore a difficult history of the violent colonization and genocide of Indigenous peoples. This is not a distant history. It continues to adversely impact Indigenous communities today. The ripple of that impact will be felt for generations.
We invite you to please listen, learn, unlearn, reflect, and, when you are ready, take action.
Questions? Have a resource you’d like to see added to this list? Please reach out: hello@fringetheatre.ca.
LEARN:
- Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – Schedule for Truth and Reconciliation Week
- On Canada Project – Settlers Take Action
- Why the Day for Truth and Reconciliation isn’t another stat holiday
- Downie & Wenjack Fund Day for Truth & Reconciliation #dosomething
- Downie & Wenjack Fund Resources
- Government of Canada National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Legacy of Hope
- NTCR Residential School History
- Assembly of First Nations Toolkit
- How to talk to kids about the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
- Whose Land Interactive Map
- What is Land Back
- 8 Ways to Confront Residential School Denialism
- Reconciliation Canada Useful Links
- Reconciliation Canada Kitchen Table Dialogue Guide
- University of Alberta Indigenous Canada Free Online Course
- Tamarack Institute – Resources
- REACH Edmonton – Reach Stories
- Understanding the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – a Reading List
INDIGENOUS THEATRE, FESTIVALS, AND EVENTS:
Local
- LightningCloud presents Bear Grease
- Dreamspeakers Festival
- Rubaboo Arts Festival
- Punctuate! Theatre
- OCICIWAN Contemporary Art Collective
- ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞
- I.A.M. Collective
- Indigenous Box
- Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park
Beyond
TAKE ACTION:
- Consider: Do you know what your elected representative’s stances are on Truth and Reconciliation? Take some time from your day to do some research. List of Representatives by Jurisdiction:
- Federal
- Provincial
- Municipal
- Consider further action: write a letter or two to make your views known if they differ from your representative’s.
- Canadian Land Governance Must Respect Indigenous Rights
- Reconciliation Canada – Donate
- Canadian Women’s Foundation – Read & Take Action
WATCH:
- CBC Truth & Reconciliation Collection
- CBC Kids National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Playlist
- How to Watch & Listen to Truth & Reconciliation Day on CBC
- APTN Truth & Reconciliation Day
- Residential Schools in Canada – A Timeline
- Phyllis Webstad Orange Shirt Day Presentation
- Reconciliation Canada Impact Stories
- National Film Board Indigenous Cinema
READ:
- Non-Fiction:
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph
- The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King
- Me Artsy: An Exploration of Contemporary Native Arts by Drew Hayden Taylor
- Medicine Shows by Yyelle Nolans
- Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga
- The Reason You Walk by Web Kinew
- In My Own Moccasins by Helen Knott
- They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School by Bev Sellars
- Fiction (Graphic Novel):
- Pemmican Wars (A Girl Called Echo #1) by Katherena Vermette & Scott B. Henderson
- This Place: 150 Years Retold by 11 Different Authors & 11 Different Illustrators
- Fiction (Children):
- Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad & Brock Nicol
- I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis
- Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell & Kim LaFave
- Fiction (Young Adult):
- The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
- Dear Canada: These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens by Ruby Slipperjack
- Fiction (Adult):
- Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
- Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
- Porcupines and China Dolls by Robert Arthur Alexie
- Plays:
- Almighty Voice and His Wife by Daniel David Moses
- Children of God by Corey Payette
- Death of a Chief by Nolan and Kennedy Cathy Mackinnon
- Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing by Thomson Highway
- God and the Indian by Drew Hayden Taylor
- The Herd by Kenneth T. Williams
- The Hours that Remain by Keith Barker
- Huff by Cliff Cardinal
- In Spirit by Tara Beagan
- Indian Act: Residential School Plays (Anthology) by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
- Indian Arm by Hiro Kanagawa
- Staging Coyote’s Dream Volume 1 & 2 by Monique Mojica & Ric Knowles
- Stich by Cliff Cardinal
- This is How We Got Here by Keith Barker
- Thunderstick by Kenneth T. Williams
- The Unnatural and Accidental Women by Marie Clements
- The Unplugging by Yvette Nolan
- Where the Blood Mixes by Kevin Loring
- Academic:
- Dancing on Our Turtle’s Back by Leanne Simpson
- As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance by Leanne Simpson
- Red Alert by Daniel R. Wildcat
- Performing Indigeneity: New Essays on Canadian Theatre Volume 6 by Yvette Nolan and Ric Knowles
- Transforming Our Practices: Indigenous Art, Pedagogies, and Philosophies by Ballengee Morris & Kryssi Staikidis
- Poetry:
- Islands of Decolonial Love by Leanne Simpson
- NDN Coping Mechanisms by Billy-Ray Belcourt
- This Accident of Being Lost by Leanne Simpson
- Yellow Medicine Poetry Anthologies by Various
SUPPORT:
- The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.
- Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.
- First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.