A nonfiction book for older learners about residential schools and the impacts of colonialism on indigenous culture: information is presented in a clear and factual way.

This is an important book -- it explains a lot of challenging concepts and explores the hard truths of North American history in a way that is accessible and understandable to young readers. It's also a kind, thoughtful, challenging roadmap of the work we need to do as a species to do better in the future. While it is written about Canadian residential schools, it definitely transfers to the US as well. ( )

Clear and honest - and requiring clarity and honesty - about the past; hopeful and kind - and requiring hope and kindness - about the future. This isn't a book 'only' for children - anyone starting their own journey of awareness and reconciliation will find it helpful and hopeful, while not understating the facts about our history. Also, and not least, well laid out and illustrated.

CBC Radio article and audio interview with the author:
https://bit.ly/2N3FCxm ( )

With Raven by her side, Monique Gray Smith takes students on a very personal journey of reconciliation. Guided by honesty, love and kindness, Gray Smith starts with the truth of Canada’s collective history. A history that, for Indigenous people, includes colonization, the Indian Act, residential schools and other attempts at cultural genocide. She addresses the intergenerational trauma experienced by seven generations of residential school survivors. She covers the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and gives advice on how students can take the first steps towards reconciliation by becoming an ally to Indigenous People. Gray Smith includes helpful links for further research, but it is the sharing of traditional Indigenous knowledge that leaves the reader feeling honoured to have been invited on the journey. ( )