National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and here at the FOLD, we are taking the time to reflect on our own relationship with the land, its history, and the Indigenous Peoples who have called it home for tens of thousands of years.

Our mission at the FOLD has always been to amplify the voices of those who have been marginalized because we believe that they are best positioned to tell their own stories. In recent years, we’ve had the honor of hosting Indigenous authors such as Waubgeshig Rice, Jessica Johns, Alicia Elliott, Lareina Abbott, Tanya Talaga, Joshua Whitehead, Billy-Ray Belcourt, and Leanne Betasomasake Simpson.

These authors and others have brought forth stories of pain, adversity, and injustice, but also stories of hope, healing, and joy. It is by listening with open hearts that we, as settlers, can learn and contribute to the process of reconciliation.

Over the next couple of weeks, the staff at the FOLD will be reading 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph. This book not only explains the Indian Act and the consequences it has had on Indigenous Peoples, but it also explores how Indigenous Peoples can return to self-governance, self-determination, and self-reliance.

We challenge and encourage you to read along with us. To keep ourselves accountable, we’ve created a suggested reading schedule, which we invite you to use as well. If you have thoughts or reflections you’d like to share on social media, please tag us and use the hashtag #12ThingsReadAlong. If you are on StoryGraph, consider joining our read along!

Recommended Reading Schedule