A Book I Wish I Read at the Start of the Year

Reading through this book, the disingenuity in that question isn’t lost on me. How does one get over centuries of injustice and suffering?

After what I would describe as an unavoidable hiatus, maybe even distraction, I feel tremendously blessed that I am able to reconnect with writers within my orbit and participate in literary events and activities again. This is something I have missed and just being able to chill, listen and absorb what other writers are able to share about their craft and its creation process has been exhilarating, for sure motivational. 

 The thrill of sitting with audience members and seeing them get very excited about writers and their work is validation that writing isn’t such a terrible vocation after all and that perhaps not every book on the shelf is lonely and abandoned. They are being read and enjoyed, and if the saying is true, that music is the food of the soul, then words might just be its edification. 

But I digress. 

The Word on the Street Saskatoon Book and Magazine Festival took place September 17, 2023, at the Refinery Arts and Spirits Centre. One high point for me was listening to lawyer and writer, Michelle Good and having her autograph her books for me. 

I’ll let that sink in for a bit and then repeat myself. 

One high point for me on the day was listening to the illustrious Michelle Good speak about her latest book. The signed copies are a bonus, however, if truth be told, I’m such a sucker for signed copies of books. 

That last bit of information is for the universe to hear me and do its thing.  

Again, I digress. 

The book Michelle talked about is called Truth Telling: Seven Conversations About Indigenous Life in Canada. It is her newest publication released this year. The spectacular collection of essays in the book, some of which have appeared in other earlier published materials offers her thoughts and commentary on colonization, residential schools, Truth and Reconciliation, racism and indigeneity amongst other topics. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to feast on the richness it promised. 

Last week, coming off the heels of the September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation commemorative activities across the country, I created time to delve in.

What I really like about this easy-to-read book is that anyone, whether new to Canada, thinking of moving to Canada or long in Canada is presented with the reality about the true origins of this nation that is often repressed in preference for the more popular version that paints a picture of a benevolent colonizer. 

The truth is darker. Buried in the myth is a tale of genocide, stolen lands and broken promises. 

I’m not typically one to mark books and underline stuff as I read, but this time I couldn’t help myself. 

In the fourth essay, $13.69, where she wrote about her Sixties Scoop compensation payment, a particular sentence about what is perhaps a common reaction to the harms of residential schools and what governments have offered in an attempt to reconcile with Indigenous Nations gripped me. 

“Why can’t they just get over it?”

The mindless way this question and other variations of it get thrown around leaves me stunned every time. 

Reading through this book, the disingenuity in that question isn’t lost on me. How does one get over centuries of injustice and suffering? How do you forget about those who never made it back home, the pain of those who came back home traumatized and the graves where the truth was buried? 

“Why can’t they get over it?” 

Michelle provides answers in another paragraph – “Parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles were deprived of their teaching relationships with children. The community at large was deprived of its role in preparing their children to understand and take their place in the community.” 

This is why there isn’t any getting over and moving on so easily. Anyone who has faced racism or discrimination of any kind knows these too well. In reminding us of these past transgressions and insisting on truth and genuine reconciliation for Indigenous Nations, Michelle’s 7 essays are a call for reflection, a call to action. 

I wish I had read at the start of the year.