Monique Gray Smith is an author that I have had the privilege of meeting and attending a workshop where she was the guest of honour. Her book Speaking Our Truth really works towards helping educators guide young students towards a better understanding of reconciliation and ultimately, decolonization. The book talks about being an ally and how that looks like which I think is something that students should start to learn at a very young age. In terms of my research topic of land acknowledgements, I like that the book contains a message from Elder Kahontakwas, that specifically discusses respect and admiration for what the land provides which I think this specific Indigenous worldview is often missing from land acknowledgements we see today.
Hello Sonia, Thanks for sharing this book. It sits beside me at work. It’s such a great resource for educators. We have purchased many throughout my District. I think it’s a great starting point to give everyone the confidence to have more conversations about decolonization and reconciliation. Thanks for the reminder to revisit this resource!