Christine Smith (McFarlane)

The words of truth and reconciliation need to be put into action

Kaitlin McNabb — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:10:08 +0000

September 15, 2016

No matter who you are -- Indigenous or non-Indigenous -- the words truth and reconciliation can be hard to swallow.

When you hear the words over and over again, you begin to tire of what can be said, especially when these words seem to be popular in today's politics. These terms, truth and reconciliation, are based upon the actions and words of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was put together to deal with Canada's genocidal residential school system and its survivors.

Aside from the work of the actual Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the words truth and reconciliation are now largely used as a tool to get Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to work together.

New collection "In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation" describes what reconciliation can mean to the individual. But are words enough? Our reviewer says it's time for action.

The power of memory and storytelling

rabble staff — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 16:37:10 +0000

March 31, 2016

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Stories are an integral part of who we are as a people. So much so that I found myself unable to write about the power of storytelling and Lee Maracle's new book Memory Serves because it encapsulates that idea so completely.

Author Lee Maracle shows why she is one of the greatest writers of her time with her new collection on storytelling. It (almost) left our reviewer speechless.

'Children of the Broken Treaty' exposes Canada's shameful treatment of Indigenous people

rabble staff — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 22:53:24 +0000

December 17, 2015

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Imagine going to a school that is broken. A school that sits on a toxic field of noxious fumes that makes you and your classmates sick.

Author Charlie Angus' detailed account of the deliberate denial of human rights to First Nations communities and Shannen Koostachin's fight for the right to education is stunning and a must read.

'Indigenous Nationhood' speaks a truth that Canada needs to hear

rabble staff — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 20:44:57 +0000

November 12, 2015

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Indigenous Nationhood: Empowering Grassroots Citizens is an interesting read because it is a collection of the best blog posts written by Indigenous activist, lawyer and academic Dr. Pamela Palmater from her acclaimed blog Indigenous Nationhood.

Dr. Pamela Palmater has brought a critical analysis and discussion to issues facing Indigenous populations in Canada like no other writer of her time. Her new book is an absolute must read.

Harper's takeover of Canada: What do we have left?

rabble staff — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 20:47:04 +0000

August 20, 2015

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The Harper government has been in power since 2006. In that time, it has managed to systematically dismantle Canada's democracy. How? Read on.

The miseducation of Augie Merasty

rabble staff — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 13:12:33 +0000

July 16, 2015

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At 86, Joseph (Augie) Merasty decided his story needed to be told: a firsthand account of the impact residential schools had on Indigenous children and how this experience shaped his life.