This September 30th is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, held alongside Orange Shirt Day which “call[s] upon humanity to listen with open ears to the stories of survivors and their families, and to remember those that didn’t make it.” (quote from The Story of Orange Shirt Day page on their website).
To support any events or displays you may be providing in your libraries, here is a selected list of legal information materials to have on hand or put in your displays for this very important day.
Print Resources
The titles below are all from the Law Books for Libraries list and available for purchase with the LawMatters grant. Some are new to the list this year; you can also purchase multiple copies for your libraries using the grant. If you are still working on spending your 2021 grant and have questions, please feel free to get in touch!
Check out our Grants page for more info and access to the full Law Books for Libraries list.
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21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph: This book is an essential guide to understanding the Indian Act and its repercussions on generations of Indigenous Peoples.
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Nationhood Interrupted: Revitalizing nêhiyaw Legal Systems by Sylvia McAdam (Saysewahum): This book, written by a co-founder of Idle No More, discusses nêhiyaw (Cree) law and traditions, shared so that future generations could understand and revitalize Indigenous nationhood.
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Bead by Bead: Constitutional Rights and Métis Community by Yvonne Boyer and Larry Chartrand: This title addresses and analyses the parameters that current legal doctrines in Canada place around Métis rights.
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To Share, Not Surrender: Indigenous and Settler Visions of Treaty Making in the Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia edited by Peter Cook et al.: This book appraises the historical and present-day relevance of treaty-making in the colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, including essays, translations/interpretations of the treaties into the SENĆOŦEN and Lekwungen languages, and contributions by participants of the Songhees, Huu-ay-aht, and WSANEC peoples.
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Otter's Journey through Indigenous Language and Law by Lindsay Keegitah Borrows: This book employs the Anishinaabe tradition of storytelling to explore how Indigenous language revitalization can inform the emerging field of Indigenous legal revitalization.
These titles can also be found in CLBC branches around the province; check our catalogue for the location nearest to you.
Legal Aid Publications
These free publications are written in plain language and most are available as print booklets, meaning they are a great option for those who prefer print over online resources. Print copies can be ordered for free for your library through Crown Publications. A link for ordering print copies is also available on the individual title’s page.
You can also find print copies at your local CLBC branches and at your local Legal Aid office. Selection may vary.
You can see a full list of Legal Aid publications focused on Indigenous legal issues online. We’ve highlighted a few titles here that you might find helpful:
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Gladue and You & Gladue Report Guide both provide information on Gladue principles (a way for judges to consider the unique circumstances and experiences of Indigenous peoples) and preparing Gladue reports.
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Estate Administration on Reserve provides information on how to administer an estate on reserve. It also has a template package which contains sample forms and letters.
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Income Assistance on Reserve in British Columbia explains how to apply for income assistance on reserve.
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Parents’ Rights, Kids’ Rights explains child protection law and gives an overview of the process.
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Who Can Stay in the Family Home on Reserve provides information about family homes on reserves, including who can stay if spouses separate.
Online Resources
The following websites are good places to check for reliable and trusted legal information online with an Indigenous specific focus.
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Aboriginal Legal Aid includes legal information on a variety of topics including First Nations Court, living on reserve, and family law.
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Family Law in BC has a page for Indigenous specific family law information.
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Clicklaw has a filter to search for Indigenous content, though which you can find links to legal information resources and to Clicklaw Common Questions. Also make sure to check out the Clicklaw HelpMap to find Indigenous specific legal help agencies in your area.
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CLBC has put together an Indigenous Legal Resources guide which gathers together helpful resources for a variety of audiences, including public library staff.
Other Resources
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The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Final Report and Calls to Action are available for reading online. You can see other reports published by the TRC and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on their website.
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The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has also made their Final Report available online.
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X̱wi7x̱wa library at UBC is a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Check out their online research guides, which include Indigenous Children’s Literature and Indian Residential Schools in Canada.
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The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC addresses the colonial legacy of residential schools and other policies imposed on Indigenous peoples, with the goal of supporting access to residential school records for survivors and their families.
We hope you find this list helpful and that you have a meaningful National Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day. CLBC will be closed on Sept 30 in recognition of this important day but we're otherwise open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM through our email and phone reference services. Check our website for the operating hours of specific branches.
Toll-free line: 1-800-665-2570
Reference email: librarian@courthouselibrary.ca