Land Acknowledgement
District 13 OSSTF is committed to providing space to honour Indigenous folks who were here on this beautiful land long before settler arrival.
We acknowledges that many Indigenous Nations have longstanding relationships, both historic and modern with the territories upon which our members work and our union operates. We recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples throughout Turtle Island.
This region forms part of the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nations, the Mississauga Peoples, and the treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nations. We would also like to acknowledge that prior to these treaties, the land was stewarded by various communities including the Haudenosaunee and Wendat confederacies.
Our land acknowledgement does not function as closure, resignation, or acceptance of the structural conditions of settler colonialism that remain in effect today. We recognize the impact of colonialism and our responsibilities to redress the ways this has helped shape the education system and our organization. We also recognize the sovereignty of all Indigenous Nations as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and we are committed to honouring the Truth and Reconciliation recommendations.
To honour the Indigenous Peoples of this territory, we will take up our responsibility to be respectful of their traditions, knowledge and to care for this land and waters for future generations. We would like to thank all Indigenous Peoples for sharing this land so we may come together in a good way.
Resources
Below, you will find links to some resources. Please contact us in the office if you would like to see any items added to this resource bank. The resources have been vetted through consultation with our Indigenous Advisory Committee.
UNDRIP and TRC
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
Fiction
Motorcycles and Sweetgrass by Drew Hayden Taylor
Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson
Trickster Drift by Eden Robinson
Starlight by Richard Wagamese
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson
The Reckoner Trilogy (Strangers, Monsters, Ghosts) (Strangers, Monsters, Ghosts) by David A Robertson
There, There by Tommy Orange
Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese
The Break by Katherena Vermette
Legacy by Waubgeshig Rice
Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimaline
Non-Fiction
Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide of Writing by and About Indigenous Peoples by Gregory Younging
The Right to be Cold by Sheila Watt-Cloutier
From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle
Warrior Life by Pamela Palmater
Indigenous Writes by Chelsea Vowel
Why Indigenous Literatures Matter by Daniel Heath Justice
My Conversations with Canadians by Lee Maracle
Up Ghost River by Edmund Matatawabin
Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga
Black Water by David A. Robertson
The Reconciliation Manifesto: Recovering the Land, Rebuilding the Economy by Arthur Manuel
Unsettling Canada: A National Wake Up Call by Arthur Manuel
Short Works (Essays and Short Stories)
Fearless Warriors by Drew Hayden Taylor
A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott
Shapes of Native Non Fiction edited byElissa Washuta and Theresa Warburton
Take Us to Your Chief by Drew Hayden Taylor
Warrior Life by Pam Palmater
Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq
Whose Land is it Anyway?: A Manual for Decolonization
Whose Land is it Anyway_ Educator Companion Guide (1).pdf
Poetry
A Really Good Brown Girl by Marilyn Dumont
river woman by Katherena Vermette
Calling Down the Sky by Rosanna Deerchild
Islands of Decolonial Love by Leanne Simpson
Talking to the Diaspora by Lee Maracle
Billy-Ray Belcourt recites one of his poems
Arielle Twist poetry pdf
Hope Matters Poetry pdf
Rosanna Deerchild poetry pdf
Jesse Thistle Poetry
Graphic Texts
The Outside Circle by Patti LaBoucane-Benson
This Place: 150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzle-Damm, Sonny Assu, Brandon Mitchell
500 Years of Resistance Comic Book by Gord Hill
The Pemmican Wars (Echo Series) by Katherena Vermette
How I Survived: Four Nights On the Ice by Serapio Ittusardjuat
Surviving the City Volume 1 by Tasha Spillett
Surviving the City Teacher Support Materials
Dramatic Works (Plays)
Salt Baby by Falen Johnson
Cottagers and Indians by Drew Hayden Taylor (note: the documentary is not approved)
Dead White Writer on the Floor by Drew Hayden Taylor
Redpatch by Sean Harris Oliver and Raes Calvert
FINAL - Plays by Drew Hayden Taylor (Teacher Resource)
Podcasts
The 2018 CBC Massey Lectures: All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward
Telling Our Twisted Histories | CBC Podcasts
Storykeepers – Let's Talk Indigenous Books
Kiwew | CBC Podcasts
Unreserved with Rosanna Deerchild | Live Radio
All My Relations | HOME
2 Crees in a Pod on Apple Podcasts
Think Indigenous on Apple Podcasts
Red Man Laughing on Apple Podcasts