Ville de Montréal

MontréaLisons: Nakuset’s favourite reads

Last updated June 14, 2021
Reading time: 1 min

Nakuset, a woman of Cree origin, is the executive director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montréal. She recommends four works of literature, film and music that encourage dialogue on the fight against racism and discrimination towards Aboriginal people.

Nakuset’s top-four picks

Indian Horse, by Richard Wagamese

Indian Horse, de Richard Wagamese

Éditions Douglas & McIntyre, 2012 

Also available in French under the title Cheval indien, by Richard Wagamese, Éditions XYZ, 2017 

I recommend this novel because it deals with the horrors and trauma wrought by the residential school system, and the racism that Aboriginal people experience when they try to integrate into society.

Reserve

Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, by Yves Simoneau

Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, d’Yves Simoneau

HBO Films, 2007

I recommend this film because it reveals the unjust and destructive practices that the government used to appropriate our lands, and how much farther we have to go before the rights of Aboriginal Peoples are respected.

Reserve

Nation II Nation, by A Tribe Called Red

Nation II Nation, de A Tribe Called Red

Tribal Spirit Music, 2013

A Tribe Called Red’s music pairs traditional music with electronic hip-hop. The result is a powerful fusion of musical styles that makes you want to dance. 

Our music was once banned, but you can hear it on this album, set to modern rhythms.

Reserve

From Oral to Written: A Celebration of Indigenous Literature in Canada, 1980-2010, by Tomson Highway (available only in English)

From Oral to Written: A Celebration of Indigenous Literature in Canada, 1980-2010, de Tomson Highway

Éditions Talonbooks, 2017

This work delves into the experiences of Aboriginal authors from the four corners of Canada. It’s important to hear voices from across the country in order to embrace and better understand reconciliation and discrimination towards Aboriginal Peoples.

Reserve

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