Resisting Settler-Colonialism: A Reading List
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The discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia, continues to weigh on our hearts and minds. Since, more remains of children who attended residential schools were found in Brandon, Manitoba and near Regina, Saskatchewan. While the news of mass graves near and on the grounds of former residential schools wasn’t news to Indigenous communities across Turtle Island, the news came as a shock for settlers. In a survey by the Canadian Race Relation Foundation and the Assembly of First Nations, many settlers reported that they had little to no knowledge about residential schools before the news of the discovery of mass unmarked graves in May. This results from revisionist history taught in Canadian schools, framing the settler-colonial project as a harmless feat. Often residential schools are completely erased from the history of so-called Canada. In other instances, revisionism happens via the mouthpieces of the state: politicians. However, all of this is far from the truth: The settler-colonial project is ongoing and just as harmful as ever.
In this moment, it is essential to remember that as settlers, we have a responsibility to build solidarity with Indigenous communities, but solidarity building must be active. At the core of solidarity building is a life-long commitment to unlearning, relearning and honouring calls to action against settler-colonialism. Below is a non-exhaustive list of books and resources to start learning about residential schools, settler-colonialism, and Indigenous resurgence.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada, Final Report (2015)
Linked is the TRC calls to action. The 94 calls to actions include added supports for Indigenous children to access education, calls for public education (K-12) on residential schools, as well as calls for the federal government and churches to commit to uncovering information about missing Indigenous children and burial information. The 94 calls to action are integral in understanding how to support Indigenous communities. The TRC website has further resources for education on residential schools.
Written by Anishinaabe writer Richard Wagamese, Indian Horse is an award-winning book novel that explores the trauma of residential schools. The main character, Saul Indian Horse, a residential school survivor who later becomes a hockey player. The novel addresses racism, abuse and the impact of genocide on Indigenous peoples. Other books that explore residential school narratives include: Indian School Days, My Name is Seepeetza, and They Called Me Number One.
In Islands of Decolonial Love, Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar and artist Leanne Betasamosake Simpson addresses the ongoing settler-colonial project through a series of poetry and prose. Simpson addresses the violence and hypocrisy of settler-colonial government’s processes to "preserve” Indigenous peoples’ culture. Simpson has also written scholarly articles on land-based pedagogy and anti-colonial strategies for recovery and maintenance of Indigenous knowledge.
Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition
Inspired by Frantz Fanon’s theorization of the white/colonizer’s gaze, Glen Coulthard of Yellowknives Dene an associate professor in Political Science at the University of British Columbia, addresses the importance of Indigenous resurgence in the struggle for recognition. Coulthard writes of grounded theory and Indigenous resurgence as important pillars for rejecting the settler-colonial project, including its recognition granting institutions.
Final Report into the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Colonial violence disproportionally impacts Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. This report includes 231 calls for justice. Projects such as The REDress Project, by Métis artist Jaime Black, aim to spread awareness of the ongoing violence against Indigenous women and girls.
If you have questions or want to continue un/re/learning, feel free to contact us.
