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A Decolonization Recipe (Part 2): Reading Lists

Here is the thing, I have read a lot of books on this journey. It is important to once again, situate my context of knowing and learning. I am settler-Acadian. I grew up along the Wolastoq and now live in Mi'kma'ki, the part now currently known as Nova Scotia. I am a treaty person with the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1725 forward.

This journey is impossible without reading. I spent a lot of years reading almost exclusively from the voice of straight, white, men. I needed to spend a long time listening to different voices... decentering whiteness. Read indigenous authors. Read women authors. 

In an effort for manageability, I have put some of these books in different pots. It doesn't mean they should always stay there. Also, this is not an exhaustive list. I am not sure if I could pinpoint the reason I chose these other than they are my regular "you may want to start with some of these" books when I am asked about reading lists. I haven't even mentioned the Truth and Reconciliation reading list, stories from Elders list, or learning about the Indian Act and colonization list. Comment and I will respond with more reading!

General

Jack Forbes' "Columbus and Other Cannibals"

Lee Maracles' "My Conversations With Canadians"

Jesse Thistle's "From The Ashes"

Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass"


A Little Bit of Theology

Richard Twiss' "Rescuing the Gospel From the Cowboy"

Jonathan Dyck's "Unsettling the Word"

Randy Woodley's "Shalom and the Community of Creation"

James H. Cone's "The Cross and the Lynching Tree"


Research and Knowing

Shawn Wilson's "Research is Ceremony"

Tim Bernard (et al)'s "Ta'n Wetapeksi'k (Understanding from Where We Come)"

Aikenhead and Michell's "Bridging Cultures"


Living in Mi'kma'ki and Good for Everyone

Daniel Paul's "We were Not the Savages"

Marie Battiste's "Living Treaties"


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