By: Emily M., Halton Youth Initiative Communications Crew June 30, 2020
This is the first in a series of three posts curated by members of the Halton Youth Initiative's Communications Crew listing fiction and non-fiction books by Indigenous authors. We invite you to visit your local library or book store to check out at least one of the recommendations in honour of National Indigenous History Month.
From the Ashes
By Jesse Thistle
Story of a high school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar, he talks about his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction.
Son of A Trickster
By Eden Robinson
A sixteen year old named Jared, struggles with serious family and drug issues.
The Night Watchman
By Louise Erdrich
It's 1953, Thomas Wazhushk is the night watchman at the first factory to open near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota.
This Tender Land
By William Kent Krueger
Hundreds of Native American children are forcibly separated from their parents and to be educated. During the summer, four orphans will journey and meet new challenges.
The Marrow Thieves
By Cherie Dimaline
Humanity has destroyed its world through global warming and the Indigenous people of North America are being hunted. Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive to make their way up north to the old lands.
Bone Black
By Carol Rose GoldenEagle
When Wren's twin sister goes mysteriously missing she finds out the case will not be properly investigated. She realizes the heartbreak she feels is relatable to many families, and she decides to take justice into her own hands.
Barkskins
By Annie Proulx
Bound to a "seigneur" for three years in exchange for land, Rene Sel suffers from extraordinary hardship and violence. He tells the stories of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and descendants as they travel back to Europe.
I Am Not a Number
By Jenny Kay Dupuis
A true story based on a young First Nations girl who was removed from her family and sent to a residential school. She tries to remember who she is and where she came from.
A Quality of Light
By Richard Wagamese
Joshua Kane, an Ojibway, has lived since infancy with his white adoptive parents. Johnny Gebhardt is white, and is interested in Indigenous culture. The two boys meet and form a deep bond through their invention of baseball.
Shi-shi-etko
By Nicola I. Campbell
In just four days young Shi-shi-etko will have to leave her family and all that she knows to attend a residential school.
Indigenous Peoples in Sports
By Erin Nicks
Discusses the accomplishments of Indigenous peoples in various sports as well as providing information about the modern-day sports that originated from games played by Indigenous Peoples.
I Lost My Talk
By Rita Joe
Mi'kmaw Elder's childhood story of losing her language while a resident of the residential school in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. This will explore and celebrate the survival of Mi'kmaw culture and language.