Between 1876 and 1996, 150,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in Indian residential schools. Though it will never be easy to teach children about this tragic part of Canadian history, I’ve found nine picture books that may help you introduce the topic.
I am by no means an expert on this subject, so my reviews are focused on the style and content of the books, rather than their historical accuracy. Due to the difficult subject matter I’ve ordered the books by age level rather than publishing date.
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett (Orca Book Publishers, 2016)
This board book dedicated to former Indian residential school students and their families is full of sweet illustrations that depict family, nature, and culture. Each page states something that brings happiness, e.g. “I smell bannock baking in the oven,” “I walk barefoot on the grass,” “I drum,” and ends with the line, “What fills YOUR heart with happiness?” Recommended for ages 0 to 3.
Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave (Groundwood Books, 2005)
As a young Native girl prepares to leave home for school she gathers memories for safekeeping. The poetic text focuses on family and nature (including plants used for food and medicine). Residential schools are explained in the author’s note, but not mentioned explicitly in the text. The illustrations use deep, saturated colours. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.
Shin-Chi’s Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave (Groundwood Books, 2008)
In this sequel to Shi-shi-etko, her six-year-old brother goes to residential school for the first time. It depicts the hardships of school life (siblings separated, given English names, underfed), but has a happy ending: when they return home for the summer their father is busy making them their own canoe. A one-page author’s note succinctly describes the first contact between Europeans and Native Americans, the church-run boarding schools that were set up to sever ties to family, cultures, and traditional territories, and reparations that have been made. Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett (Highwater Press, 2016)
A young girl questions her grandmother about the way she dresses, speaks, and spends her time. The answers all go back to the way she was treated in the residential school, where she was separated from her family, had her hair cut, and was forced to speak English. Though the subject matter is sad, the tone is uplifting, showing that the grandmother got back what she lost. “Flett’s gorgeous, skillful illustrations have a flattened, faux naïve feel to them, like construction paper collage, a style that works perfectly with the story.” (Kirkus Reviews) Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (Annick Press, 2013)
An Inuit girl longs to go to the outsiders’ school (residential school), but when she arrives she is mistreated by the nuns. However, she perseveres to reach her goal of learning to read. Though there is no historical note, this book is based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton’s childhood (also recounted in the middle grade novels Fatty Legs and A Stranger at Home). It includes nice illustrations with a simple colour palate. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
Not My Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard (Annick Press, 2014)
In this sequel to When I Was Eight, Margaret returns from school and struggles to find her place when she can no longer speak the language, stomach the food she used to love, or approach the dogs without them snarling. The poignant writing style clearly shows the struggle of a child to fit in with her family after a two-year absence. The process is gradual, but the story does have a happy ending with her father giving her her own dog sled for Christmas. Again, it lacks a historical note but is a good introduction to Inuit life and residential schools. Recommended for ages 6 to 9.
Kookum’s Red Shoes by Peter Eyvindson, illustrated by Sheldon Dawson (Pemmican Publications, 2011)
A Native grandmother makes bannock to share with school kids and thinks back to her experience being forced to attend residential school. This story depicts the harsh life at a school run by nuns, the narrator’s joy at going home for the summer, and her inability to fit in anymore. It includes many references to The Wizard of Oz. The author’s note mentions the devastating effects of residential school system and quotes Prime Minister Harper’s apology to the Aboriginal community. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.
As Long as the Rivers Flow by Larry Loyie (with Constance Brissenden), illustrated by Heather D. Holmlund (Groundwood Books, 2002)
This, the longest of all the books I reviewed, consists of four chapters. It’s an autobiographical story set in 1944 near Slave Lake, Alberta. The emphasis is on daily life, hunting, preparing food and medicine, understanding nature and wild animals, and spending time with family. It ends on a sad note, as on the last page the children are taken away to school in a truck. Water colour illustrations are found on most pages. The epilogue describes residential schools and includes biographical info about the author, who went to school from age 10 to 14 and eventually became a writer. It also mentions how First Nations people are working to heal and relearn their traditions and includes nine black and white photos with captions. Recommended for ages 7 to 10.
I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer, illustrated by Gillian Newland (Second Story Press, 2016)
Based on the true story of the author’s grandmother, this book describes how she was sent to a residential school, where she was treated terribly. When she returned home for the summer her family hid her so she wouldn’t have to go back. The long text and graphic content — it describes how she was punished with hot coals for speaking her native language — make it suitable for older children (parents might want to read it ahead of time). Drab water colour illustrations suit the subject matter. At the end three pages describe the residential school system and the personal basis of the story. Recommended for ages 8 to 11.