VPL - A Residential School Reading List | Vancouver Public Library

Nishga

by Abel, Jordan

Book - 2020

The colonial violence against Jordan Abel and his family is examined in this extremely personal autobiography. Nishga is Abel's exploration of his identit...Show more The colonial violence against Jordan Abel and his family is examined in this extremely personal autobiography. Nishga is Abel's exploration of his identity as a survivor of the residential school system, a system that remains an invisible force in both Canada's history and Canada's present. Show less

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Porcupines and China Dolls

by Alexie, Robert Arthur

Book - 2002

This book details the cause and effect of the residential school system on the NWT's Teetl'it Gwich'in. 30 years after his "schooling" Jake Nola...Show more This book details the cause and effect of the residential school system on the NWT's Teetl'it Gwich'in. 30 years after his "schooling" Jake Noland recognizes a former priest from the school. The recognition stirs painful memories which he shares with his community. Breaking his silence leads to others in the community sharing similar histories of abuse and pressing charges. Show less

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Tears in the Grass

A Novel

by Archer, Lynda A.

Book - 2016

Elinor Greystone is a 90-year-old Cree artist who is determined to find her lost child that was removed and born out of rape when Elinor was forced to attend residential school when she was a child herself. Elinor Greystone is a 90-year-old Cree artist who is determined to find her lost child that was removed and born out of rape when Elinor was forced to attend residential school when she was a child herself. Show less

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Com-plic-it

by Bamberry, Lee Jay

Book -

An original play that is written and directed by Lee Jay Bamberry that is set to be performed in March 2022 at Jericho Arts Centre. Bamberry explores the identity and hope during the 1960s resident school era. An original play that is written and directed by Lee Jay Bamberry that is set to be performed in March 2022 at Jericho Arts Centre. Bamberry explores the identity and hope during the 1960s resident school era. Show less

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Beyond the Orange Shirt Story

A Collection of Stories From Family and Friends of Phyllis Webstad Before, During, and After Their Residential School Experiences

by Webstad, Phyllis

Book - 2021

As a 6-year-old, Phyllis Webstad was the little girl whose orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school. This book collects the memories of six generations of her family. As a 6-year-old, Phyllis Webstad was the little girl whose orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school. This book collects the memories of six generations of her family. Show less

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As Long as the Rivers Flow

by Bartleman, James

Book - 2011

The consequences of residential schooling through several generations of a First Nations family are explored in Bartleman's novel. The consequences of residential schooling through several generations of a First Nations family are explored in Bartleman's novel. Show less

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My Decade at Old Sun, My Lifetime of Hell

by Bear Chief, Arthur

Book - 2016

Arthur Bear Chief tells the "punishment, cruelty, abuse, and injustice" he experienced at the Old Sun Residential School, the legal aftermath against the Canadian government, and his path to reconnect with his language and culture. Arthur Bear Chief tells the "punishment, cruelty, abuse, and injustice" he experienced at the Old Sun Residential School, the legal aftermath against the Canadian government, and his path to reconnect with his language and culture. Show less

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The Red Files

by Bird-Wilson, Lisa

Book - 2016

Inspired by her family's stories and her own research, Bird-Wilson's poetry collection about the legacy of residential schools provides a different approach to the subject. Inspired by her family's stories and her own research, Bird-Wilson's poetry collection about the legacy of residential schools provides a different approach to the subject. Show less

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Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Kamloops Indian Residential School

https://arcabc.ca/islandora/object/tru:1611

Web Resource

Available online. Thirty-two people share their experiences at the Kamloops Indian Residential School which operated from 1893-1979. Available online. Thirty-two people share their experiences at the Kamloops Indian Residential School which operated from 1893-1979. Show less

Behind Closed Doors

Stories From the Kamloops Indian Residential School

Book - 2006

Revised edition. Thirty-two people share their experiences at the Kamloops Indian Residential School which operated from 1893-1979. Revised edition. Thirty-two people share their experiences at the Kamloops Indian Residential School which operated from 1893-1979. Show less

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Spíləx̣m

A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence

by Campbell, Nicola I.

Book - 2021

Nicola I. Campbell is known for her work in children’s literature (e.g. Shi-shi-etko, Chin-chi’s Canoe, and others) but here she uses poetry and prose to share her stories and experiences in this deeply personal memoir. Nicola I. Campbell is known for her work in children’s literature (e.g. Shi-shi-etko, Chin-chi’s Canoe, and others) but here she uses poetry and prose to share her stories and experiences in this deeply personal memoir. Show less

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Shin-chi's Canoe

by Campbell, Nicola I.

Book - 2008

On his first day of school Shin-chi learns some hard truths: he can no longer speak his own language or even use his own name. A small bark canoe given to him by his father allows Shin-chi to dream of a time when he can return to his family. On his first day of school Shin-chi learns some hard truths: he can no longer speak his own language or even use his own name. A small bark canoe given to him by his father allows Shin-chi to dream of a time when he can return to his family. Show less

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Red Wolf

by Dance, Jennifer

Book - 2014

In the late 1800s, a young boy named Red Wolf befriends an orphaned wolf cub. Forced to attend a residential school, Red Wolf finds himself far removed fr...Show more In the late 1800s, a young boy named Red Wolf befriends an orphaned wolf cub. Forced to attend a residential school, Red Wolf finds himself far removed from his family and companion. A chance reunion of boy and wolf cub leads to a dangerous journey home just as winter is closing in. Show less

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Did You See Us?

Reunion, Remembrance, and Reclamation at An Urban Indian Residential School

Book - 2021

The Assiniboia school operated in Winnipeg between 1958 and 1973, toward the end of the residential school era. It was a rare urban school in the resident...Show more The Assiniboia school operated in Winnipeg between 1958 and 1973, toward the end of the residential school era. It was a rare urban school in the residential system. This volume gathers the memories of students at the school, from the day-to-day life to the bonds of memories that still tie them together Show less

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A Really Good Brown Girl

by Dumont, Marilyn

Book - 1996

In this acclaimed poetry collection, Dumont implicates "the Great White Way of writing English" as the instrument used to separate First Nations and Métis people from their language. In this acclaimed poetry collection, Dumont implicates "the Great White Way of writing English" as the instrument used to separate First Nations and Métis people from their language. Show less

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I Am Not A Number

by Dupuis, Jenny Kay

Book - 2016

Eight-year-old Irene struggles to retain her sense of identity after being sent to a residential school. On a visit home, her parents take matters into their own hands and make plans that will keep Irene safe from her school. Eight-year-old Irene struggles to retain her sense of identity after being sent to a residential school. On a visit home, her parents take matters into their own hands and make plans that will keep Irene safe from her school. Show less

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Broken Circle

The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools : A Memoir

by Fontaine, Theodore

Book - 2010

Loss of family, language, culture and community are considered in this powerful memoir of a boy taken from his home at the age of 7 and placed in the care of an abusive residential school. Loss of family, language, culture and community are considered in this powerful memoir of a boy taken from his home at the age of 7 and placed in the care of an abusive residential school. Show less

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Genocidal Love

A Life After Residential School

by Fox, Bevann

Book - 2020

Bevann Fox, or "Myrtle" as her chosen name, explores the trauma as a residential school survivor in this work of fiction. Her story highlights the painful and re-traumatizing effects as a survivor demanding compensation. Bevann Fox, or "Myrtle" as her chosen name, explores the trauma as a residential school survivor in this work of fiction. Her story highlights the painful and re-traumatizing effects as a survivor demanding compensation. Show less

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Five Little Indians

by Good, Michelle

Book - 2020

The story of five residential school survivors as they make their way through very different lives, all trying to overcome the traumas of their shared past. The story of five residential school survivors as they make their way through very different lives, all trying to overcome the traumas of their shared past. Show less

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Finding My Talk

How Fourteen Native Women Reclaimed Their Lives After Residential School

by Grant, Agnes

Book - 2004

Fourteen women discuss how they reclaimed their culture after their experiences in residential school system. Fourteen women discuss how they reclaimed their culture after their experiences in residential school system. Show less

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Amongst God's Own

The Enduring Legacy of St. Mary's Mission

by Glavin, Terry

Book - 2002

Glavin chronicles the history and daily life at the Oblate Order's St. Mary's Mission, a residential school near Mission, B.C. that operated for more than 100 years. Glavin chronicles the history and daily life at the Oblate Order's St. Mary's Mission, a residential school near Mission, B.C. that operated for more than 100 years. Show less

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Resistance and Renewal

Surviving the Indian Residential School

by Haig-Brown, Celia

Book - 1988

13 elders who attended the Indian Residential School in Kamloops between 1907-1967, are interviewed about daily life at the school. 13 elders who attended the Indian Residential School in Kamloops between 1907-1967, are interviewed about daily life at the school. Show less

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Burning in This Midnight Dream

by Halfe, Louise

Book - 2021

A deeply personal and raw poetry collection written in response to the colonial violence towards Indigenous families when children were forcibly removed a...Show more A deeply personal and raw poetry collection written in response to the colonial violence towards Indigenous families when children were forcibly removed and abused at residential schools. Halfe recounts the intergenerational trauam that continues to haunt and damage survivors and Indigenous communities. Show less

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Where are the Children Buried? by Dr. Scott Hamilton

https://nctr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AAA-Hamilton-cemetery-FInal.pdf

Web Resource

A detailed report written for the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission examining where residential school children are buried by studying archiva...Show more A detailed report written for the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission examining where residential school children are buried by studying archival data, historic burial policies, and maps and satellite images. See also the figures and illustrations created for the report. Show less

Where ae the Children Buried?: Figures and Illustrations by Dr. Scott Hamilton

https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AAAA-Hamilton-Report-Illustrations-final.pdf

Web Resource

The figures and illustrations for Dr. Scott Hamilton's report "Where are the Children Buried?" The figures and illustrations for Dr. Scott Hamilton's report "Where are the Children Buried?" Show less