This Truth and Reconciliation Day, the Decoda staff are sharing books that have helped us to learn about Indigenous peoples’ history and truth.

One of the values that guides Decoda Literacy Solutions and its staff is inclusion (read Decoda’s full Vision, Mission and Values).

The value of inclusion inspires us to:

• address racism and settler colonialism in our programs and approaches to our work
• understand our path to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
• promote an “everyone is welcome” approach in our workplace

Here are 15 books we recommend reading on the journey to Truth and Reconciliation.

Gail Hanney, Director, Fund Development

• Unbroken: My Fight For Survival, Hope, And Justice For Indigenous Women And Girls by Angela Sterritt

Maureen Kehler, Program Manager

• Truth Telling – Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada by Michelle Good, author of Five Little Indians

“We must come to a place of understanding that the colonial history of Canada was genocidal in nature, functioning as an imperative embedded in the very heart of colonialism.”

“It is simply not enough to wear an orange shirt or issue empty land acknowledgements. The non-Indigenous population of this country must not only talk, they must also act.”

• Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
• Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph

Sandra Lee, Executive Director

• The Spiritual Journey Within: The Four Directions of Reconciliation by Joey Podlubny

Podlubny is a compassionate life-long learner and journalist.

• Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations by Richard Wagamese

Described as Wagamese’s most personal volume.

• Deep Diversity: A Compassionate, Scientific Approach to Achieving Racial Justice by Shakil Choudhury

A great book for book clubs; it addresses unconscious bias.

Natasha Loh, Office Administrator

• In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier

“This book marked my foray into Indigenous Literature. Despite many years having passed since I completed it the characters and the plot still resonates with me. It is haunting, heartbreaking yet hopeful. Although the novel is considered for Young Adult audiences, I believe the subject matter transcends any age.”

• Halfbreed by Maria Campbell

Trish Weatherall, Communications Specialist

• Stoney Creek Woman: The Story of Mary John by Bridget Moran

“I loved this powerful story of survival, strength and hope following Mary’s life and leadership on the Stoney Creek, BC reserve (Saik’uz).”

• All the Quiet Places by Brian Thomas Isaac
• The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
• Namwayut by Chief Robert Joseph