What do you think?
Rate this book
Ally Is a Verb
Your next step on the journey of reconciliation starts here.
What can you do to be a better ally for your Indigenous colleagues, community members, and friends? By actively listening to the history and current lived experiences of Indigenous peoples, you can take steps to address the inequities they continue to face. Author Rose LeMay notes that if you continually educate yourself, you will see many opportunities to be an ally.
This insightful book suggests how to enter the field of reconciliation in a good way, in your community and your workplace. You will
-more about the true history shared by Indigenous peoples and colonial governments
-why reconciliation is mostly the responsibility of non-Indigenous people
-approaches to intervene when you see racism happening
-better ways to respond to emotions that come up when doing the work of an ally
-how to be an active team player for equity and inclusion
LeMay describes key principles to promote reconciliation, deepen your practice of allyship, and contribute to meaningful change.
What can you do to be a better ally for your Indigenous colleagues, community members, and friends? By actively listening to the history and current lived experiences of Indigenous peoples, you can take steps to address the inequities they continue to face. Author Rose LeMay notes that if you continually educate yourself, you will see many opportunities to be an ally.
This insightful book suggests how to enter the field of reconciliation in a good way, in your community and your workplace. You will
-more about the true history shared by Indigenous peoples and colonial governments
-why reconciliation is mostly the responsibility of non-Indigenous people
-approaches to intervene when you see racism happening
-better ways to respond to emotions that come up when doing the work of an ally
-how to be an active team player for equity and inclusion
LeMay describes key principles to promote reconciliation, deepen your practice of allyship, and contribute to meaningful change.
- GenresNonfictionIndigenous
200 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2025
30 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 30, 2025
This is a great intro choice for Canadians learning about reconciliation and being an ally. I liked that the first few chapters ended with action items and resources to learn more.
September 25, 2025
I think I'm going to have to buy this one.
An amazing look at how to become and maintain actual allyship. It's full of concrete next steps and resources to delve into to learn more about issues that Indigenous people face and how the past is often alive and well in our country. A lot of historical examples and real life anecdotes bring to the forefront the systemic racism and prejudice faced by Indigenous individuals and communities.
The truths contained are not always easy but as Canadians we need to hear them and fix them.
An amazing look at how to become and maintain actual allyship. It's full of concrete next steps and resources to delve into to learn more about issues that Indigenous people face and how the past is often alive and well in our country. A lot of historical examples and real life anecdotes bring to the forefront the systemic racism and prejudice faced by Indigenous individuals and communities.
The truths contained are not always easy but as Canadians we need to hear them and fix them.
April 22, 2025
Rose LeMay’s book “Ally is a Verb: A guide to reconciliation with indigenous peoples” is an invitation to learn hard truths about our Canadian history and to embrace action through resources that cover a range of possibilities. Rose LeMay’s clear writing voice and generosity as an educator infuses each chapter. I could hear her frustration, indignation and, yes anger, at times when describing the many injustices and racism experienced by Indigenous peoples. However, this was tempered with her acknowledgment of the discomfort that readers may experience and resources to help us not only think differently but to do differently in the name of reconciliation.
There is no judgment here. Chapters describe different aspects of the historical and current relationship between Canada - government, people, institutions, - and accompanying challenges. It is often an emotional read and, in the end, a hopeful one. Each chapter finishes with suggested possible actions we can take to become allies. True to her decades as an educator she recognizes the importance of starting small and of learning. What is the closest Indigenous community to where you live? What is their story? Empathy is at the heart of this book and of Rose LeMay’s message to us all to care enough to experience discomforting truths and to take steps to reach across a gap in order to begin a relationship based in humility for all we do not know, recognition, action and hope.
There is no judgment here. Chapters describe different aspects of the historical and current relationship between Canada - government, people, institutions, - and accompanying challenges. It is often an emotional read and, in the end, a hopeful one. Each chapter finishes with suggested possible actions we can take to become allies. True to her decades as an educator she recognizes the importance of starting small and of learning. What is the closest Indigenous community to where you live? What is their story? Empathy is at the heart of this book and of Rose LeMay’s message to us all to care enough to experience discomforting truths and to take steps to reach across a gap in order to begin a relationship based in humility for all we do not know, recognition, action and hope.
May 8, 2025
This was a great read. It is very accessible, very engaging, and includes resources for further study.
LeMay first gives an overview about why Indigenous people need allies. After providing this overview, she describes what an ally is and the best way to go about being an ally for Indigenous people. One of the most crucial elements is recognizing privilege. Allies work from a place of privilege that Indigenous people do not have. For example, the privilege of being white and walking into a store and not being immediately regarded as suspicious by store security. Indigenous people do not have this privilege.
Recognizing our privilege is the first step in being a good ally. And humility is necessary. It is not about us; it is about how we can advocate and support others. We don’t go around trumpeting our work at being an ally. We do it for the good of Indigenous people and to work toward reconciliation.
This focus on remembering privilege was really helpful to me. I don’t always recognize my own privilege.
I think this would be a good book to use with students in classrooms. I also think it would be a good book for parents to read with their kids. Becoming someone who can be an ally begins in the home with the way we treat others in general.
LeMay first gives an overview about why Indigenous people need allies. After providing this overview, she describes what an ally is and the best way to go about being an ally for Indigenous people. One of the most crucial elements is recognizing privilege. Allies work from a place of privilege that Indigenous people do not have. For example, the privilege of being white and walking into a store and not being immediately regarded as suspicious by store security. Indigenous people do not have this privilege.
Recognizing our privilege is the first step in being a good ally. And humility is necessary. It is not about us; it is about how we can advocate and support others. We don’t go around trumpeting our work at being an ally. We do it for the good of Indigenous people and to work toward reconciliation.
This focus on remembering privilege was really helpful to me. I don’t always recognize my own privilege.
I think this would be a good book to use with students in classrooms. I also think it would be a good book for parents to read with their kids. Becoming someone who can be an ally begins in the home with the way we treat others in general.
June 6, 2025
Rose LeMay's book is an essential read that I wholeheartedly recommend to every Canadian. From the first page, LeMay's writing is incredibly approachable, making complex and often difficult topics accessible to all readers.
What struck me most profoundly was the powerful blend of anger and hope that radiates from her words. LeMay doesn't shy away from expressing the deep frustrations and injustices that have shaped Canada's history, but she masterfully balances this with an unwavering sense of optimism for a better future. She bravely confronts "The Great Canadian Lie," laying bare uncomfortable truths, and powerfully articulates how allyship demands humility, as well as the responsibility of non-Indigenous/ settlers are responsible for reconciliation.
This isn't just a theoretical discussion; it's a deeply tactical book. LeMay provides countless thoughtful and actionable ways and resources for individuals and communities to engage in meaningful reconciliation. Her insights are invaluable, offering practical pathways forward for anyone committed to building a more just and equitable Canada.
This book is a beacon of light, guiding us towards a more understanding and unified future. Do yourself and Canada a favour and pick up this book today from an Indigenous book seller like Good Minds, https://goodminds.com or Strong Nations, https://www.strongnations.com. You won't regret it.
What struck me most profoundly was the powerful blend of anger and hope that radiates from her words. LeMay doesn't shy away from expressing the deep frustrations and injustices that have shaped Canada's history, but she masterfully balances this with an unwavering sense of optimism for a better future. She bravely confronts "The Great Canadian Lie," laying bare uncomfortable truths, and powerfully articulates how allyship demands humility, as well as the responsibility of non-Indigenous/ settlers are responsible for reconciliation.
This isn't just a theoretical discussion; it's a deeply tactical book. LeMay provides countless thoughtful and actionable ways and resources for individuals and communities to engage in meaningful reconciliation. Her insights are invaluable, offering practical pathways forward for anyone committed to building a more just and equitable Canada.
This book is a beacon of light, guiding us towards a more understanding and unified future. Do yourself and Canada a favour and pick up this book today from an Indigenous book seller like Good Minds, https://goodminds.com or Strong Nations, https://www.strongnations.com. You won't regret it.
May 9, 2025
This book should be mandatory reading for anyone living in Canada. It should be required to renew your driver's license. Such a great read. a practical and accessible resource for anyone who knows reconciliation is important but hasn't figured out what they can do about it. Not sure how to respond when your in-laws start talking about "those people and why can't they just... why should we have to..."? Read this book. Ever felt paralyzed after witnessing some overtly racist treatment at the mall? Read this book.
July 24, 2025
Rose LeMay’s “Ally is a Verb” is a very accessible introduction to reconciliation. It’s designed for people who have already done some work to learn about the history of colonization in Canada and tries to answer the question, “but what can I do?”.
April 23, 2025
So many amazing learnings and gives tangible ideas people can take. Don’t miss this one!
July 13, 2025
Good overall, but definitely moreso designed for someone at the beginning of their allyship journeyy. Stilla good refresher though!
July 14, 2025
Every non-Indigenous person should read this book.
Read
July 14, 2025Recommended by Nadine
Read
July 15, 2025Hmmmm. This one missed the mark for me a bit. Everything felt oversimplified. Maybe this would be good for a teen audience?
September 7, 2025
very accessible and useful
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews