Celebrations and events are taking place across Canada this month to mark National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. Communities nationwide will host events to recognize the history, heritage, and resilience of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. This month also serves as a time for reflection on the impacts of colonization and an opportunity to learn more about and support the reconciliation process.
Support Indigenous Creatives
One meaningful way to observe National Indigenous History Month is to support Indigenous creatives. To help with that, here is a list of five recent books from Indigenous authors with a British Columbia connection that are worth checking out.
Wild People Quiet by Tara Gereaux
A former UBC MFA student and a citizen of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Tara Gereaux grew up knowing her grandfather was Métis but was told to tell others the family was French. From that experience comes her novel Wild People Quiet, published by Scribner Canada. Set in 1946 in rural Saskatchewan, the story follows Florence Banks, a soft-spoken Métis woman who has been passing as white. Her carefully curated existence begins to crumble when a group of Métis labourers arrive in her small prairie town, forcing her to choose between the life she has been living and the truth of her heritage.
Sharing the Light: Stories and Reflections by Monique Gray Smith
Based near Victoria, award-winning author and educator Monique Gray Smith, of Cree, Lakota, and Scottish descent, has written 12 books for all age ranges. Her latest, the national bestseller Sharing the Light: Stories and Reflections (House of Anansi Press), invites readers to pause and reconnect with their inner light through five transformative practices: gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope. Combining short stories, reflections, and questions, this book is not only a thoughtful read but also a source of guidance and inspiration that can be revisited repeatedly.
The Lost Haida Manga: A Compendium by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
Celebrated contemporary Haida artist and author Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas delivers a new collection that traces the origins of Haida manga, an artistic style he created that blends traditional Pacific Northwest Coast Haida iconography, such as formline, with contemporary Japanese graphic novels. The Lost Haida Manga: A Compendium (Douglas & McIntyre), releasing June 2, uses black-and-white ink works to explore themes of colonialism, the environment, and Indigenous sovereignty in a visually stunning graphic format.
Why Our Lands Are Not For Sale by Mildred C. Poplar
Why Our Lands Are Not For Sale: The Inside Story of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (Medicine Wheel Publishing), also releasing June 2, offers an insider's perspective on the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. Mildred C. Poplar provides a detailed account of the organization's efforts to protect Indigenous lands and rights, shedding light on the ongoing struggle for sovereignty and land claims in British Columbia.
Additional Recommendations
These five books represent just a sampling of the rich literary contributions from Indigenous authors. Whether you are looking for fiction, personal reflection, or historical insight, these works offer valuable perspectives on Indigenous experiences and resilience. Celebrate National Indigenous History Month by diving into these stories and supporting Indigenous voices.
