September 30 has been synonymous with Orange Shirt Day and the concept of "Every Child Matters" since 2013. More recently, the federal government officially proclaimed September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It's a day that Canadians are encouraged to take time to have meaningful conversations about the effects of residential schools and their ongoing legacy. On this day, we wear orange to show our support for survivors and the countless children who didn't return home.
If you are looking for ways to teach students about the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, why not start with a picture book by an Indigenous author? Picture books offer a window into the difficult topic of residential schools and help both students and teachers become comfortable with an uncomfortable topic that, quite frankly, most of us didn't learn about growing up. Let's change that for future generations! Here are 12 picture books (and a bonus title) to help you on your learning journey. BONUS: I've linked lots of FREE resources (teacher guides, lesson plans, interviews...) for you to use with your students.
Before we get started, here is a must watch video by Phyllis Webstad for all educators and Canadians.
Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad
ages 4-6This book is an adaptation of Phyllis’s The Orange Shirt Story and ideal for our youngest students from Kindergarten to Grade One. Phyllis’s Orange Shirt is based on the original story but has been shortened, simplified, has a rhyming scheme and gentler images. Click here to see how CBC Kids explains Orange Shirt Day. Click here for a FREE lesson study called Becoming Comfortable with the Uncomfortable: Introducing the Topic of Residential Schools in Kindergarten. For FREE Orange Shirt Day posters click here.
ages 6+This is the true story of Phyllis and her orange shirt. When Phyllis Webstad turned six, she went to residential school for the first time. On her first day at school, she wore a shiny orange shirt that her Granny had bought for her, but when she got to the school, it was taken away from her and never returned. For a FREE K-6 Teacher Guide click here. For FREE Orange Shirt Day posters click here.
Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams (based on a true story) by Cindy Blackstock
ages 6-12In this award-winning book Spirit Bear is on his way home from a sacred ceremony when he meets Jake, a friendly dog, with a bag full of paper hearts attached to wood stakes. Jakes tells Spirit Bear that school children and residential school survivors will plant the hearts when a big report on residential schools called the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC for short) is shared. For FREE online access to the book and a learning guide click here.
Shi-shi-etko by Nicola Campbell
ages 4-8This is the story of how a young Interior Salish child named Shi-shi-etko spends the last four days with her family before going to residential school for the first time. For a week-long intergrated unit for Grades 1-3 based on this book click here. For a FREE Teacher's Guide click here.
Shin-chi's Canoe by Nicola Campbell
ages 7+Shin-chi's Canoe is the moving sequel to Shi-shi-etko. It tells the story of siblings Shi-shi-etko and little brother, Shin-chi at residential school. It is six year old Shin-chi's first time at residential school...he is constantly hungry and lonely and can't wait until the "salmon swim up the river" when he can return home. For a week-long intergrated unit based on this book click here. For a FREE lesson study on both books click here.
As Long as the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden
ages 10-13Award winning As Long as the Rivers Flow is the story of my late Cree uncle Larry Loyie's last summer before entering residential school. He wrote about his adventures with his family and caring for an abandoned baby owl (as well as watching his Kokom shoot a grizzly bear!) For a FREE study guide click here. Listen to my uncle Larry Loyie and my aunt Constance Brissenden be interviewed here by Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio about his memories of residential school and their book, Residential Schools, With the Words and Images of Survivors, A National History.
When We Were Alone by David Robertson
ages 4-8When We Were Alone is the conversation between a young child and her grandmother about residential school. It is a story of connection, empowerment and strength. For a FREE parent/teacher's guide to the book click here. Watch this interview from TVOkids of David Robertson discussing the book as well as what reconciliation means.
The Train by Jodie Callaghan
ages 6-9This story centers around a conversation that Ashley and her Great-Uncle have about his time at residential school. For FREE lessons and interactive activities from The Train click here.
When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Olelaum Pokiak-Fenton
ages 6-9Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton When I Was Eight makes the bestselling Fatty Legs accessible to younger readers. It is the story of eight year old Olemaun during her time at residential school and her desire to learn how to read. For FREE lesson plans based on When I was Eight click here.
Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Not my Girl is a sequel to the picture book When I Was Eight. It's a poignant story of a determined young girl’s struggle to belong in her family after returning from residential school two years later. For FREE lesson plans click here
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence
ages 6-9Stolen Words tells the story of a relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter. It centers around the loss of the grandfather's Cree language as a direct result of being forced to attend residential school. For a FREE teaching guide click here.
Meet Tom Longboat by Elizabeth MacLeod (non-Indigenous author)
ages 6-10This is the story of legendary long distance runner Tom Longboat. The book does an excellent job of retelling Tom Longboat's coming of age in the early 1900's from his time in residential school, as one of the world's most famous athletes and as a World War I dispatch runner. For a FREE unit click here.
ages 12-14Last but not least, Speaking Our Truth was written to help young people understand the impact of residential schools. Readers will learn about the lives of Survivors and how to put the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action. Watch this video of Monique Gray Smith discussing how to talk to kids about residential schools.
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