For the month of April, The OISE Library has put together a display on the subject of contemporary Indigenous voices. The display contains books and other materials from our Stacks, Children’s Literature, and Curriculum Resources collections. The materials in this display highlight the different ways Indigenous peoples express their cultural heritage within a contemporary context, showing a different perspective than the usual portrayals of traditional expressions of Indigenous cultures. Overall, these materials can help you provide your students with examples of how Indigenous peoples express their cultures today and face contemporary challenges.
Materials such as #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, School Experiences of Aboriginal Youth in the Inner City, Urban Tribes: Native Americans in the City, Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies, Ispayin: Métis Youth Express Yourself!, and Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices express voices from different contemporary Indigenous perspectives. #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, for example, aims to “shatter stereotypes” by showcasing the diversity of Indigenous women across North America through artistic expression. Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices provides readers with artworks and writings from Indigenous artists, photographers, comedians, chefs, and much more in order to discuss issues such as the effects of residential schooling, bullying, and hopes for the future. The unique perspectives provided in these materials highlight how Indigenous peoples navigate between traditions and contemporary society.
Materials that highlight contemporary displays of Indigenous culture are also included. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass expresses the connections between Indigenous teachings about nature and scientific concepts associated with botany. Rock & Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story is the story of Canadian guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson, who started out as a young boy learning to play guitar on his reservation and became one of Rolling Stone’s top 100 guitarists of all time. Other materials include The Honour Drum: Sharing the Beauty of Canada’s Indigenous People with Children, Families, and Classrooms, Powwow Counting in Cree, Dakota Talks About Treaties, and Alex Shares His Wampum Belt.
This display also highlights Juvenile Fiction titles written by contemporary Indigenous authors. Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection (Volume 2) is a graphic novel anthology written by Indigenous authors from various communities, bringing Indigenous representation to the comic book world. This collection of stories discusses topics such as Indigenous identity, culture, and spirituality. Volume 2 is available at the OISE Library. Drew Hayden Taylor’s Take Us to Your Chief: And Other Stories infuses Indigenous perspectives with science fiction to tell a story of aliens, space, and time travel. Other stories include The Outside Circle, In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse, Strangers, and Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection.
All of these materials can be found in the glass display case on the ground floor of the OISE Library. Do not hesitate to ask circulation or reference desk staff for assistance, as all of these materials are available to be checked out!
