Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The Manitoba Teachers’ Society is committed to supporting truth, reconciliation, and healing. September 30 — the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — is a time to reflect on the ongoing legacy of residential schools, honour Survivors and their families, and deepen our collective understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and rights.
This dedicated page offers curated resources for educators, including books, lesson plans, and events designed to support meaningful classroom learning and community engagement. We invite all members to explore, learn, and take action on the path toward reconciliation.
This page is a living document and will continue to be updated. If you have events or resources that you would like to share please send an email to coms@mbteach.org for consideration.
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Lesson Plans
Resistance on the Giimooch: The Life Story of Mary Courchene Lesson Plans
Recommended Books on Truth and Reconciliation
These books, rooted in Indigenous voices and experiences, offer age-appropriate, respectful, and meaningful entry points to Canada’s history of residential schools and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.
Kindergarten
Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome by Nancy Cooper – A delightful story introducing Anishinaabe names and community through a heartwarming beaver tale.
Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell – Shi-shi-etko is a young girl who has four days before she leaves home for residential school. Her family has many teachings to share with her, about her culture and the land.
When We Are Kind by Monique Gray Smith – This book celebrates simple acts of everyday kindness and encourages children to explore how they feel when they initiate and receive acts of kindness in their lives.
Grades 1-3
The Secret Pocket by Peggy Janicki – A moving story of resilience, as Indigenous girls sew hidden pockets in their dresses to hide food in residential schools.
Little Shoes by David A. Robertson – A beautifully told and comforting picture book about a boy’s journey to overcome generational trauma of residential schools.
The Pencil by Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula – Based on author Susan Avingaq’s childhood memories of growing up in an iglu, this charming story introduces young readers to the idea of using things wisely.
Grades 4-5
Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith – age-appropriate exploration of residential schools, reconciliation, and hope, with an accompanying teachers’ guide.
Amazing L’nu’k: A Celebration of the People of Mi’kma’ki by Julie Pellissier Lush & Robin Grant – Celebrates Mi’kma’ki culture and achievements through lively illustrations and storytelling.
When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton – Olemaun is eight and knows a lot of things. But she does not know how to read. Ignoring her father’s warnings, she travels far from her Arctic home to the outsiders’ school to learn.
Grades 6-8
Truth and Reconciliation by Simon Rose – Explores residential school impacts and reconciliation efforts within the “Indigenous Life in Canada” series.
The Witness Blanket by Carey Newman & Kirstie Hudson – A stunning work of art made from residential school artifacts, accompanied by narrative and reflection.
Dad, I Miss You: A Residential School Story by Nadia Sammurtok – A tender father-son narrative about separation, loss, and reconnection.
The Secret Path by Jeff Lemire and Gord Downie – Secret Path is a ten song album by Gord Downie with a graphic novel by illustrator Jeff Lemire that tells the story of Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack, a twelve-year-old boy who died in flight from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School fifty years ago.
Grades 10-12
A Girl Called Echo Omnibus by Katherena Vermette – Time-traveling Métis teen experiences pivotal moments in Métis history with immersive storytelling.
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good – A powerful novel that follows the lives of five residential school survivors as they struggle to heal, rebuild, and find belonging in the wake of trauma and dislocation
A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – A factual, comprehensive overview based on TRC findings.
The 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance Comic Book: Revised and Expanded by Gord Hill – The 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance Comic Book powerfully portrays flashpoints in history when Indigenous peoples have risen up and fought back against colonizers and other oppressors.
Adult (Personal Learning)
Birdie by Tracey Lindberg – A moving novel about a Cree woman’s journey toward healing, identity, and reconciliation.
Unreconciled: Family, Truth and Indigenous Resistance by Jesse Wente – A memoir and manifesto challenging the idea of reconciliation and urging deeper change through storytelling.
A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott – A raw, personal exploration of intergenerational trauma, identity, and resilience.
Surviving Canada: Indigenous Peoples Celebrate 150 Years of Betrayal edited by Kiera Ladner & Myra Tait – Essays that critique colonial legacies and reclaim Indigenous presence through art and narratives.
Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada by Michelle Good – A compelling essay collection exploring racism, broken treaties, cultural loss, and the path forward.
Beyond the Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad – Personal and intergenerational testimonies shedding more light on residential school experiences.
Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools by Theodore Fontaine – A poignant memoir of survival, healing, and cultural disconnection.
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph – This book delves into the complexities of The Indian Act, revealing hidden truths and historical injustices.