By Reanna Merasty, Architectural Intern

Indigenous history and the voices of Indigenous people are vibrant and shape our environment. June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate the vibrancy of the various nations, and unwavering contributions by Indigenous Peoples. Adjacent to the celebrations, is the time for knowledge sharing, and furthering education and understanding on Indigenous history.

Learning from Indigenous peoples, listening to their stories of their kin and upbringing, and taking meaningful action to advocate, honor, and appreciate. Put forward, are a series of books for all ages, podcasts, and projects that showcase the voice and stories of Indigenous peoples from various diverse nations. With a challenge to learn from our Indigenous relatives, and expand this existing list of resources, letting one story lead you to another, for a cycle of understanding and education.

David A. Robertson says “… the question now is: What are you going to do about it? Because outrage, thoughts and prayers, retweets and likes are not enough. I think the answer starts with stories. Stories have been, and always will be, the best way to educate ourselves on the truth.”

Learn + Listen:
Series of books to gain understanding and education for yourself, and for your children, on Indigenous history, narratives, memoirs, land, and ecology.

• One Story, One Song by Richard Wagamese
• Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese
• Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
• Keeper’N Me by Richard Wagamese
• For Joshua by Richard Wagamese
• Black Water by David A. Robertson
• The Break by Katherena Vermette
• Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga
• From The Ashes by Jessie Thistle
• Broken Circle by Theodore Fontaine
• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
• Indigenous Writes: a Guide to First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel
• The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
• April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier

Children’s Books

• When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson
• Amik Loves School by Katherena Vermette
• The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad
• Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad

Listening to podcasts, to reference the importance of oral history

• Kīwew – CBC Listen
• Unreserved with Falen Johnson – CBC Listen
• Métis in Space
• Matriarch Movement
• All My Relations
• Indigenous Urbanism
• Talks With A Fox Podcast

Projects, to reference within the context of Winnipeg, and the architecture/design profession

• Red river women: A memorial for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG2S) alongside Winnipeg’s Red River By Desiree Theriault (M.LArch) (MSpace)
• Voices of the Land: Indigenous Design and Planning from the Prairies by Reanna Merasty, Danielle Desjarlais, Reanna Merasty, Naomi Ratte (FAUM)
• Our Voices: Indigeneity and Architecture by Rebecca Kiddle, luugigyoo patrick stewart, and Kevin O’Brien (Indigo)
  Indigenous perspectives on architecture and design theory and practice

Resources:
UM Today | Faculty of Architecture | IDPSA releases statement on the tragic discovery on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation (umanitoba.ca)
48 books by Indigenous writers to read to understand residential schools | CBC Books
#IndigenousReads (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)
NewJourneys / 11 Indigenous podcasts for your listening pleasure

Reanna is an Architectural Intern at Number TEN Architectural Group
She is Woodlands Cree, and a member of Barren Lands First Nation