I Read: Indigenous Relations

Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality by Bob Joseph with Cynthia F. Joseph

After the discovery of the bodies of 215 indigenous children at an old residential school site, I decided that I needed to delve back into the indigenous relations and reconciliation information. This one is written by the same author as 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act that I read earlier this year, and follows well in that conversation. 

In typical white privilege fashion, I have to stop myself from arguing with some of the points he makes because there really is no defence for what has been done to the indigenous people in Canada. I don't have to have answers on how to fix it, but I do need to acknowledge that and make sure that I don't perpetuate any of it. 

I'm not going to review this in any form. I'm really not qualified for that. But I do recommend anyone read this in order to gain some perspective on Indigenous Relations in Canada. We're getting better, but there's still a long way to go. 

#54-2021

I Read: Legacy

Legacy by Waubgeshig Rice

I picked this up because I was researching Canadian indigenous authors and found the review/synopsis intriguing. I couldn't find it available in any store for purchase (it was published in 2014 and somehow is completely out of print?) so I ventured to actually use the local library. (Not the first time, but pretty darn close.  Who borrows books when they have years' worth in their house that they haven't read?)

I'm not disappointed to have read this book. It wasn't what I was expecting from the synopsis I saw, but it kept my attention throughout. I wanted to know where it was going. And I wanted to find out more about these characters

I Read: 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph

Admittedly, because of my privilege of being of European descent I haven't had to put a lot of thought into how the Canadian indigenous people have been treated. I studied the War of 1812 in school, and the "Indians" helped in that so I never really thought about what the situation might have actually been like.

Recently, I've had the opportunity to see materials in an Aboriginal cultural safety training program and it's made me genuinely interested in the topic. Which is how I found this book.

I Read: The Smell of Other People's Houses

The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock

I enjoyed this book - I wasn't sure it would be one that would go in that category. The title intrigued me, which is why I choose to read it in the first place. The story is definitely intriguing, following the lives of several teens in Alaska at the time of the territory becoming a state. The stories of those teens mingle together in interesting ways and teach a number of lessons while doing so. 

The subject matter isn't really pleasant, but it is real and wanting to know how the stories are completed is what keeps the reader interested.