Indigenous Peoples Day was created to celebrate Native communities and cultures and combat the harm caused by the colonization and genocide brought by Christopher Columbus. Storytelling has always been important for Indigenous communities and continues to play a crucial role in honoring ancestry and preserving history. To commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day, meaningful and nuanced books that shed light on Indigenous culture and resilience are recommended.
“Bad Cree” by Jessica Johns delves into the journey of a Cree woman who wakes up holding a severed crow’s head and must confront her past and family history. Terese Marie Mailhot’s “Heart Berries” is a compelling memoir that explores the effects of colonization on mental and physical health. Tanya Tagaq’s “Split Tooth” is a unique blend of memoir and fiction set in Nunavut, offering a haunting and poetic exploration of love, history, and magic.
Tanya Talaga’s “The Knowing” delves into the dark history of colonialism in Canada, particularly the disruptions faced by Indigenous families through various systemic injustices. Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s “Noopiming: The Cure For White Ladies” is a fierce reclamation of Anishinaabe aesthetics that challenges colonial myth-making through a narrative involving characters seeking solace in nature. Eden Robinson’s “Monkey Beach” blends magical realism with Haisla lore in a story following a girl on a quest to find her missing brother.
“Looking For Smoke” by K.A. Cobell is a thriller that tackles the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls through the story of Loren, whose sister disappears. When Loren’s friend ends up dead, she must work with her friends, including the new girl in town, to uncover the truth. These books offer diverse perspectives on Indigenous identity, history, and resilience, making them valuable reads for anyone interested in learning more about Indigenous cultures and communities. By amplifying Indigenous voices and stories, we can honor and celebrate the enduring strength of Indigenous peoples.
