Books to Teach and Keep Teaching National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The useful part

Five years later, I am still learning how to honour the day and make it more meaningful. Anishinaabe writer and activist Niigan Sinclair recently shared advice on how to make National Day for Truth and Reconciliation personal. Teach why September 30th was chosen as the date for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

How it works

• * Picture Books Being Different (ages 6-8) is a bilingual Inuktitut/English picture book that follows a young girl named Ilataaq who moves to a new community in the North.
• Trees (ages 6-8) follows an Indigenous girl and her grandfather on a walk through the woods.
• Its tender illustrations show the strong and loving bond between grandmother and granddaughter.
• The Land Remembers (ages 6-9) is a gentle lyrical poem that follows Tumuxw, Mother Earth, as she comforts her children through the passage of time.
• The story follows a young girl as she visits her special place on the land with her Mosôm.

What to take from it

This story encourages meaningful conversations and raises awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People. Inspired by an Ojibwe story, Makade Asin / Black Stone (ages 3-8) is an English/Anishinaabemowin picture book that encourages young readers to find their own inner strength. The story is accompanied by riveting illustrations that will catch readers' attention.

Example or evidence

• It's an authentic, meticulously researched look at pre-colonial history and community life before European contact that will expand readers' understanding of Indigenous history.
• * Spencer Miller is an educator, writer, researcher, and fan of the Toronto Raptors.
• Sinclair reminds, "reconciliation isn't a one-day event".
• This book is a reminder that near or far, the land is part of who we are.

Details worth keeping

Books for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and beyond · Blog Post · 49th Shelf Books to help start and continue conversations about reconciliation throughout the school year The first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was held on September 30, 2021. Continue discussing reconciliation in your classroom all year long. Sinclair recommends dozens of artists you and your students can learn about together.

Related coverage

• Miss604: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events around Vancouver 2026. Honouring the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
• Ottawacitizen: Events will take place across Ottawa on Wednesday and will offer residents the chance to reflect on the multi-generational impacts of Canadian residential schools.
• Livinglutheran: In 2025, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly committed to encouraging and equipping congregations, synods and affiliated ministries to observe the National Day of Remembrance for U.S.
• Webwire: Shelf, each offering a different way of looking at the experiences that shape a life.