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In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation
What is real reconciliation? This collection of essays from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contributors from across Canada welcomes readers into a timely, healing conversation—one we've longed for but, before now, have had a hard time approaching.
These reflective and personal pieces come from journalists, writers, academics, visual artists, filmmakers, city planners, and lawyers, all of whom share their personal light-bulb moments regarding when and how they grappled with the harsh reality of colonization in Canada, and its harmful legacy. Without flinching, they look deeply and honestly at their own experiences and assumptions about race and racial divides in Canada in hopes that the rest of the country will do the same.
Featuring a candid conversation between CBC radio host Shelagh Rogers and Chief Justice Sinclair, this book acts as a call for all Canadians to make reconciliation and decolonization a priority, and reminds us that once we know the history, we all have the responsibility—and ability—to make things better.
These reflective and personal pieces come from journalists, writers, academics, visual artists, filmmakers, city planners, and lawyers, all of whom share their personal light-bulb moments regarding when and how they grappled with the harsh reality of colonization in Canada, and its harmful legacy. Without flinching, they look deeply and honestly at their own experiences and assumptions about race and racial divides in Canada in hopes that the rest of the country will do the same.
Featuring a candid conversation between CBC radio host Shelagh Rogers and Chief Justice Sinclair, this book acts as a call for all Canadians to make reconciliation and decolonization a priority, and reminds us that once we know the history, we all have the responsibility—and ability—to make things better.
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2016
14 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
8 books19 followersI’m a history-obsessed author who lives by the sea in Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki (Canada). I spend my days writing, researching, and going on adventures with my family – and my evenings devouring books and movies. My readers range from 2 to 102 and I love connecting with them.
I am constantly challenging myself creatively and finding new outlets for my varied interests. Currently, I have a forthcoming nonfiction picture book, Freddie the Flyer (Tundra Books, October 2023), as well as two projects out on submission: a novel called The 500 Year Flood, and a time-slip paranormal chapter book for 7-9 year olds called Fever on the Forgotten Coast.
My main project at the moment is revising a creative nonfiction book based on my former Ghosts of Camsell blog about trauma, memory, and reconciliation.
I am constantly challenging myself creatively and finding new outlets for my varied interests. Currently, I have a forthcoming nonfiction picture book, Freddie the Flyer (Tundra Books, October 2023), as well as two projects out on submission: a novel called The 500 Year Flood, and a time-slip paranormal chapter book for 7-9 year olds called Fever on the Forgotten Coast.
My main project at the moment is revising a creative nonfiction book based on my former Ghosts of Camsell blog about trauma, memory, and reconciliation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 19, 2020
This collection of essays was a thought-provoking and powerful read. Not only did it deepen my understanding of what has happened to indigenous people since contact with Europeans, it also forced me to stop and have a hard think about my own interactions with the indigenous people I've met. Even though my heart was (I believe) in the right place, I can see now, with a lot of discomfort, that I have probably said things that have caused unintentional hurt. Some reviewers of this book have criticized it for the number of essays written by non-indigenous people but I do think--for me at least--that they served a purpose of helping me to see indigenous experience through both lenses.
The most powerful section of the book was the closing conversation between Shelagh Rogers and Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair in which he offers up a vision of how Canada might have been, had settlers arrived with better morals and more open-hearts:
"Canada had the potential to be one of the most unique nations in the world with its relationship with Aboriginal people. Initially it was intended to be on a footing of partnership, of solidarity, of moving forward together as the original plan had been. When Confederation occurred, the original peoples of his country didn't oppose it, didn't fight against it. They were prepared to work with it - even those who didn't sign treaties at the time. They had different kinds of relationships that weren't treaty relationships, necessarily, in the same way as we understand them now, but they had alliance relationships. They had friendships that were formed, Partnerships that were created - economic, military, and otherwise--that allowed them to believe they could move forward together with Canada into the future. In western Canada, when the government approached First Nations people, the original peoples - the Métis and First Nations-- agreed to certain things that would occur. Agreed that they would share the use of the land and resources, and that there would be no interference with the way they governed themselves, as had been originally proposed in the Royal Proclamation of 1763.... Yet Canada immediately chose to betray that loyalty, that partnership, that relationship, by trying through legislation (it was basically war through law) to subjugate them, to assimilate them, to wipe them out as a distinct people. And Canada lost on the opportunity to enjoy that full and equal relationship with people who wanted to have a very significant relationship with them. So the opportunity for our languages to contribute to the language of this country, for our stories and history as indigenous people to become enmeshed with the stories and history of this country, so that Canada could talk about its existence from the beginning of time instead of from 1867 ... Canada lost out on all that. (emphasis mine)
"People come to this country now thinking that before 1867 there was nothing, but in reality there was this rich, vibrant economy, political system, military system in those years and going back to the beginning of time. Understanding all of that has been lost to the people of Canada. And so those who come here - newcomers - are literally only being given half of what they can be when they want to be part of this country. Or less than half."
My heart aches not only at the pain that has been endured, but also at this vision of what we have lost as a nation.
The most powerful section of the book was the closing conversation between Shelagh Rogers and Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair in which he offers up a vision of how Canada might have been, had settlers arrived with better morals and more open-hearts:
"Canada had the potential to be one of the most unique nations in the world with its relationship with Aboriginal people. Initially it was intended to be on a footing of partnership, of solidarity, of moving forward together as the original plan had been. When Confederation occurred, the original peoples of his country didn't oppose it, didn't fight against it. They were prepared to work with it - even those who didn't sign treaties at the time. They had different kinds of relationships that weren't treaty relationships, necessarily, in the same way as we understand them now, but they had alliance relationships. They had friendships that were formed, Partnerships that were created - economic, military, and otherwise--that allowed them to believe they could move forward together with Canada into the future. In western Canada, when the government approached First Nations people, the original peoples - the Métis and First Nations-- agreed to certain things that would occur. Agreed that they would share the use of the land and resources, and that there would be no interference with the way they governed themselves, as had been originally proposed in the Royal Proclamation of 1763.... Yet Canada immediately chose to betray that loyalty, that partnership, that relationship, by trying through legislation (it was basically war through law) to subjugate them, to assimilate them, to wipe them out as a distinct people. And Canada lost on the opportunity to enjoy that full and equal relationship with people who wanted to have a very significant relationship with them. So the opportunity for our languages to contribute to the language of this country, for our stories and history as indigenous people to become enmeshed with the stories and history of this country, so that Canada could talk about its existence from the beginning of time instead of from 1867 ... Canada lost out on all that. (emphasis mine)
"People come to this country now thinking that before 1867 there was nothing, but in reality there was this rich, vibrant economy, political system, military system in those years and going back to the beginning of time. Understanding all of that has been lost to the people of Canada. And so those who come here - newcomers - are literally only being given half of what they can be when they want to be part of this country. Or less than half."
My heart aches not only at the pain that has been endured, but also at this vision of what we have lost as a nation.
June 14, 2017
I was really surprised at the number of essays written by non-indigenous people in this book. There's definitely a place to read an essay about a white woman's "aha moment" and realization of systemic racism, but... did I really have to read so many? I'm a white woman, and I don't think my voice is as important as someone who's lived the experiences of racism in Canada, where we think of ourselves as pretty tolerant and accepting.
Some of the stories are really good, and overall I think this is a really important book for everyone to read, I just think 15 stories was too many, considering if they'd cut 3 of the ones written by well-meaning white people, or maybe even just spaced them out, instead of having them mostly at the beginning of the book, it would have been much more powerful.
Some of the stories are really good, and overall I think this is a really important book for everyone to read, I just think 15 stories was too many, considering if they'd cut 3 of the ones written by well-meaning white people, or maybe even just spaced them out, instead of having them mostly at the beginning of the book, it would have been much more powerful.
October 15, 2016
There is much food for thought in this collection of essays about the unfortunate legacy of the historical injustices perpetrated against Canada's aboriginal people. I consider myself to be fairly open minded and truly make an effort to recognize and correct the ingrained racist attitudes from my mainstream Canadian education, but some of these writings challenged my beliefs and attitudes in a way that rather surprised me. Canada has a long way to go to right the wrongs of history, but this book leaves one with a feeling of hope for the future for our aboriginal community and for a truly inclusive society. This book includes essays by both aboriginal, white and visible minority immigrant Canadians from all over the country, which gives it a wide range of perspectives. My only complaint is that most of the contributors are women.
May 3, 2017
I love the fact that this book helped combine voices, reconciliation is going to happen together and this book highlights a small sampling of the struggles that have been lived and the struggles are faced in reconciliation. For some the struggle is one of forgiveness, and reclaiming power, for others it is a struggle with feelings of guilt and fear. The first step towards reconciliation is the willingness to see each other. My only wish was that there was more. I hope moving forward someone continues to collect these stories in hopes of showing progress of historical inclusion.
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September 20, 2016http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2016/0...
Review by Christine Smith (McFarlane)
No matter who you are -- Indigenous or non-Indigenous -- the words truth and reconciliation can be hard to swallow.
When you hear the words over and over again, you begin to tire of what can be said, especially when these words seem to be popular in today's politics. These terms, truth and reconciliation, are based upon the actions and words of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was put together to deal with Canada's genocidal residential school system and its survivors.
Aside from the work of the actual Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the words truth and reconciliation are now largely used as a tool to get Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to work together.
But words are words, and words do not do anything when there is no action.
Opening this book, In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation edited by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, meant that I had to put aside my own misconceptions and wariness about what more could be said about truth and reconciliation.
In This Together is supposed to be about truth and reconciliation and features 15 stories by various people from all walks of life. Some of the writers are Indigenous and others are non-Indigenous.
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2016/0...
Review by Christine Smith (McFarlane)
No matter who you are -- Indigenous or non-Indigenous -- the words truth and reconciliation can be hard to swallow.
When you hear the words over and over again, you begin to tire of what can be said, especially when these words seem to be popular in today's politics. These terms, truth and reconciliation, are based upon the actions and words of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was put together to deal with Canada's genocidal residential school system and its survivors.
Aside from the work of the actual Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the words truth and reconciliation are now largely used as a tool to get Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to work together.
But words are words, and words do not do anything when there is no action.
Opening this book, In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation edited by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, meant that I had to put aside my own misconceptions and wariness about what more could be said about truth and reconciliation.
In This Together is supposed to be about truth and reconciliation and features 15 stories by various people from all walks of life. Some of the writers are Indigenous and others are non-Indigenous.
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2016/0...
July 8, 2016
The different voices in these essays provided opportunities for thought and self-reflection. I found myself very personally connected to 4 of the essays but was captivated by the entire book.
November 18, 2021
3.5 stars. This wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I thought I was reading essays written by Indigenous authors, but about half were written by white people. Most were well done, though, and their journeys of reconciliation and “aha” moments were thought provoking. I especially liked the interview with Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair at the end, and Emma Larocque’s essay, “Colonialism Lived” - I had an “aha” moment of my own while reading it, so that was pretty powerful. I was definitely looking for more Indigenous perspectives like hers.
As a rule, I am not keen on a collection of essays, so I guess I should have considered that. Still, if you are looking for some thoughts and perspectives on different ways one can strive for personal reconciliation, this is the book for you.
As a rule, I am not keen on a collection of essays, so I guess I should have considered that. Still, if you are looking for some thoughts and perspectives on different ways one can strive for personal reconciliation, this is the book for you.
July 14, 2024
Informative and interesting, but the essay format wasn’t what I was expecting
July 1, 2020
This book of essays is unique in that it combines the personal stories of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers reflecting on the history of colonization and reconciliation. Some reviewers would have liked more Indigenous stories, but I thought the power of these collections --- for a non-Indigenous reader --- was in the non-Indigenous stories. For the last few years I have been reading Indigenous novelists, following the perspectives of Indigenous leaders on Twitter and generally trying to inform myself about Indigenous peoples in Canada. I have read Chelsea Vowel’s "Indigenous Writes" which is a must read for all Canadians. I am making my way through The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It is the stories in this volume that are helping and will help me to start my own reflection of what reconciliation means to ME. Reading how other white settlers have personally explored and linked their own roots to colonization was very powerful. My own ancestors were immigrants from Poland and the Ukraine who settled in Manitoba. I don't know the specifics on how they received their land - I assume it was given to my great-grandparents four generations ago.
I don't always take my privilege for granted. I am every thankful that my father pursued university and an engineering degree that elevated my immediate family to the middle-class and paved the way for my own university education. I am thankful that when I graduated in the early 1990s, a Bachelor degree still guaranteed a decent job and career track. But I had never traced my own privilege back as far as my great-grandparents who courageously left their home countries, most never to return, and were rewarded for that courage and their pioneering hard work with land, supportive government policy and a fairly ambivalent society. It must have been tough, no doubt. But they were afforded this opportunity at the expense of the Indigenous peoples who came before and who occupied the same land. Did my ancestors know? Did they recognize the unfairness? I think they did. Today, that history is lost to us, which is why so many of us haven't really thought much about it, but when it was happening, if you were there...I think it would have been very obvious. I recently read Anna Brownell Jameson's "Winter Studies and Summer Rambles", describing her exploration of Upper Canada in the 1830s. She was an educated sociologist and perhaps more observant than most, yet the clash of cultures and the plight of the Indigenous peoples was very obvious to her. As such, I do think my ancestors knew. They saw it and they lived it. But what does the immigrant farmer do when struggling to feed his own family? They probably compartmentalized those thoughts and I'd like to think that the members of my family absolved themselves by overtures of kindness to the Indigenous peoples they encountered day to day, rather than turning the shame of their culpability and their unease into anger and racism. As I sit here writing this in Toronto in 2017, I can’t understate the opening in my heart when I acknowledge that my own privilege is based not just on my family history but on favourable policies in Canada’s history and that these continue to this day. I’m not sure I would have gone through this reflective exercise without the example set by the non-Indigenous writers in this volume.
I remember when I was in my early 20’s I had the opportunity to attend a youth event that held group interventions for racism. Volunteers who faced racism could re-create the incident and change the outcome of that incident into a more positive experience. Everyone who volunteered was a victim. Not one was an aggressor. I have a memory of a racist joke I said to a friend when I was so young that I didn’t even understand that what I was saying was racist. I hurt her and that memory still evokes embarrassment and shame. Even if I had the self-awareness at that event in my 20’s, I doubt I would have had the courage to re-enact that scene with a group on a public stage. I don’t know what a realistic positive outcome of that re-enacted would be other than my 12-year-old friend smacking me in the side of the head. I suspect that most non-Indigenous people in Canada have not accepted their own connections to colonization and they continue to think that the shame and blame rests solely on the government and religious organizations. But this reckoning with our own culpabilities coupled with educating ourselves is truly where reconciliation and racism will be replaced with appreciation. Today it is more acceptable to have these discussions and it may be that our youth are willing to participate in group interventions such as I described, but for those of us who are adults, this must be a deep and personal reflective activity. This is why the non-Indigenous essays in this volume are so powerful as they provide you with a way to start.
I don't always take my privilege for granted. I am every thankful that my father pursued university and an engineering degree that elevated my immediate family to the middle-class and paved the way for my own university education. I am thankful that when I graduated in the early 1990s, a Bachelor degree still guaranteed a decent job and career track. But I had never traced my own privilege back as far as my great-grandparents who courageously left their home countries, most never to return, and were rewarded for that courage and their pioneering hard work with land, supportive government policy and a fairly ambivalent society. It must have been tough, no doubt. But they were afforded this opportunity at the expense of the Indigenous peoples who came before and who occupied the same land. Did my ancestors know? Did they recognize the unfairness? I think they did. Today, that history is lost to us, which is why so many of us haven't really thought much about it, but when it was happening, if you were there...I think it would have been very obvious. I recently read Anna Brownell Jameson's "Winter Studies and Summer Rambles", describing her exploration of Upper Canada in the 1830s. She was an educated sociologist and perhaps more observant than most, yet the clash of cultures and the plight of the Indigenous peoples was very obvious to her. As such, I do think my ancestors knew. They saw it and they lived it. But what does the immigrant farmer do when struggling to feed his own family? They probably compartmentalized those thoughts and I'd like to think that the members of my family absolved themselves by overtures of kindness to the Indigenous peoples they encountered day to day, rather than turning the shame of their culpability and their unease into anger and racism. As I sit here writing this in Toronto in 2017, I can’t understate the opening in my heart when I acknowledge that my own privilege is based not just on my family history but on favourable policies in Canada’s history and that these continue to this day. I’m not sure I would have gone through this reflective exercise without the example set by the non-Indigenous writers in this volume.
I remember when I was in my early 20’s I had the opportunity to attend a youth event that held group interventions for racism. Volunteers who faced racism could re-create the incident and change the outcome of that incident into a more positive experience. Everyone who volunteered was a victim. Not one was an aggressor. I have a memory of a racist joke I said to a friend when I was so young that I didn’t even understand that what I was saying was racist. I hurt her and that memory still evokes embarrassment and shame. Even if I had the self-awareness at that event in my 20’s, I doubt I would have had the courage to re-enact that scene with a group on a public stage. I don’t know what a realistic positive outcome of that re-enacted would be other than my 12-year-old friend smacking me in the side of the head. I suspect that most non-Indigenous people in Canada have not accepted their own connections to colonization and they continue to think that the shame and blame rests solely on the government and religious organizations. But this reckoning with our own culpabilities coupled with educating ourselves is truly where reconciliation and racism will be replaced with appreciation. Today it is more acceptable to have these discussions and it may be that our youth are willing to participate in group interventions such as I described, but for those of us who are adults, this must be a deep and personal reflective activity. This is why the non-Indigenous essays in this volume are so powerful as they provide you with a way to start.
October 19, 2016
An important collection of essays where settlers realize their relationship to colonialism and First Nations history, especially residential school history. There are a lot of good, personal essays in this book and a lot of learning. I really enjoyed this collection.
Some of the essays are written by people of First Nations heritage. I wish there had been a few more included.
Some of the essays are written by people of First Nations heritage. I wish there had been a few more included.
October 9, 2019
So I’m about 2/3 of the way through this book and I have very mixed feelings. Many of these just scream to me “stupid white people” (I’m white).
Like in the first essay... why would you go on a river trip with not enough food and then seemingly accept all this help for 12 people and all you can offer is that basically they want to help us. They are there just to help us. Quote “The aboriginal people of this land have been providing aid to underprepared dumbasses like us for hundreds of years.” How about we stop being idiots and start respecting the skills aboriginal people have, maybe learn something from them. Maybe say thanks.
I can’t stop thinking about Carol Shaben’s essay ECHO. Carol says “Rose” asked her to write her story but then cancelled the whole thing saying “our ideas are different. This was your book, written in your voice.” So what does Carol do? She tells the story Rose most definitely did not want published about the can of house paint. She told Rose’s story and made it about herself. She told Rose’s story in her own voice. I hope she told Rose about this book, but I doubt it. At the end of this story Rose says “native people, we acquiesce.” And we accept that acquiescence and continue doing whatever we please. (this essay makes me really mad and makes me want to not finish the book)
I enjoyed the essay This Many Storied Land.
“To live in someone’s traditional territory is to build new roots and homes, but not necessarily understanding.”
And Mother Tongue was particularly educational. “If you don’t have the language, if you don’t know who you are, you’re just roaming this world, lost.”
So, while I’m trying to appreciate each author exploring their own “aha” moment. Some just come off as rather shallow. More whites people saying “ya I understand.” But not really having a plan for how to move forward in reconciliation.
I don’t have any answers. I’m just beginning this journey of learning myself but I think this book could have used more aboriginal perspectives and less “I’m white and I understand.” I don’t think I can possibly understand what our indigenous population has been through. All I can do is learn and have compassion.
Like in the first essay... why would you go on a river trip with not enough food and then seemingly accept all this help for 12 people and all you can offer is that basically they want to help us. They are there just to help us. Quote “The aboriginal people of this land have been providing aid to underprepared dumbasses like us for hundreds of years.” How about we stop being idiots and start respecting the skills aboriginal people have, maybe learn something from them. Maybe say thanks.
I can’t stop thinking about Carol Shaben’s essay ECHO. Carol says “Rose” asked her to write her story but then cancelled the whole thing saying “our ideas are different. This was your book, written in your voice.” So what does Carol do? She tells the story Rose most definitely did not want published about the can of house paint. She told Rose’s story and made it about herself. She told Rose’s story in her own voice. I hope she told Rose about this book, but I doubt it. At the end of this story Rose says “native people, we acquiesce.” And we accept that acquiescence and continue doing whatever we please. (this essay makes me really mad and makes me want to not finish the book)
I enjoyed the essay This Many Storied Land.
“To live in someone’s traditional territory is to build new roots and homes, but not necessarily understanding.”
And Mother Tongue was particularly educational. “If you don’t have the language, if you don’t know who you are, you’re just roaming this world, lost.”
So, while I’m trying to appreciate each author exploring their own “aha” moment. Some just come off as rather shallow. More whites people saying “ya I understand.” But not really having a plan for how to move forward in reconciliation.
I don’t have any answers. I’m just beginning this journey of learning myself but I think this book could have used more aboriginal perspectives and less “I’m white and I understand.” I don’t think I can possibly understand what our indigenous population has been through. All I can do is learn and have compassion.
September 12, 2021
It’s difficult to rate a book of essays; each one is so unique and some are more engaging (The Perfect Tool; Mother Tongues; Colonialism Lived) or more poetic (Drawing Lines) than others. Those might be worth four or five stars. But I’m surprised at how many white-authored essays were included - especially those which specifically detail their “aha” moment. To me, including multiple similar accounts is unnecessary and borders on performative allyship. Moreover, Carol Shaben (a non-Indigenous WOC) writes an essay about a woman who had originally trusted Shaben with her story, then changed her mind and asked Shaben not to publish it even with names changed. Why Shaben wrote about the woman anyway (as part of Shaben’s aha moment, no less) is beyond me, and highly inappropriate.
If I could give To Kill An Indian negative stars for its insistence on the “good intentions” of the Catholic Church and the many times the author implies that the residential school system and it’s aftereffects were inevitable parts of history (to quote him directly, the abuses were due to “the law of unintended consequences”), I would.
If I could give To Kill An Indian negative stars for its insistence on the “good intentions” of the Catholic Church and the many times the author implies that the residential school system and it’s aftereffects were inevitable parts of history (to quote him directly, the abuses were due to “the law of unintended consequences”), I would.
March 24, 2021
Understsnding
There various thought provoking experiences from different childhoods. It appalled me to learn that the so called religious thought that the way they would convert or teach another culture. was to be violent and sadistic,if they even mildly believing in their God..or.Christian as.they so wanted the Indigenous to be they would have been "using the rule "do onto others as you would like others to do to oneself". Makes me wonder how they treat other cultures these various charitable factions that ask for donations ,what is our money actually contributing good or evil, lining someone's pockets at the cost of someone's life,liberty, dignity, and happiness. At the root of all evil is greed. Unfortunately this behaviour is still prevalent in this world as , we discuss this book today.
There various thought provoking experiences from different childhoods. It appalled me to learn that the so called religious thought that the way they would convert or teach another culture. was to be violent and sadistic,if they even mildly believing in their God..or.Christian as.they so wanted the Indigenous to be they would have been "using the rule "do onto others as you would like others to do to oneself". Makes me wonder how they treat other cultures these various charitable factions that ask for donations ,what is our money actually contributing good or evil, lining someone's pockets at the cost of someone's life,liberty, dignity, and happiness. At the root of all evil is greed. Unfortunately this behaviour is still prevalent in this world as , we discuss this book today.
July 4, 2017
Good collection of essays from individual perspectives relating yo the recent Truth and Reconciliation process of speaking and listening to stories from survivors of the Indian T
Residential School System in Canada. Unveils much of what was lost to Settlers and Indigenous peoples alike and often posits possible next steps on the road to healing and restoring the original partnerships between newcomers and the original inhabitants of the land mass now called ZCanada. Must reading for all Canadians.
Residential School System in Canada. Unveils much of what was lost to Settlers and Indigenous peoples alike and often posits possible next steps on the road to healing and restoring the original partnerships between newcomers and the original inhabitants of the land mass now called ZCanada. Must reading for all Canadians.
May 2, 2025
I really thought this would be stories specifically about the residential school abuse. That comes up sometimes, but instead there are various stories -- many by non-Indigenous, or somewhat Indigenous but disconnected from it -- about how the history affects the relationships within the country, and even Canadian identity. Interesting, but a little scattered.
May 11, 2017
Very good. The writing quality varies but the stories are thought-provoking. Both Indigenous and non-Indigeous people's stories about what truth and reconciliation mean to them. I recommend this book.
August 10, 2018
This collection of essays provides diverse experiences with reconciliation from a variety of perspectives. Any reader will find multiple pieces that s/he can identify with in a way that personalizes reconciliation and opens doors to further engagement with this process.
March 21, 2019
I really enjoyed how this book combined a variety of voices reflecting on reconciliation. I found lots of opportunities for personal reflection and growth in my knowledge. All of the content was local, even much of it to Alberta, which made it better resonate with me.
December 13, 2019
Immensely powerful. The stories contained in this collection are told with honesty, vulnerability, and hope. We ARE all in this together and we ALL have a role to play in healing our country and growing stronger together.
July 2, 2021
A powerful collection of essays that are both relatable and eye opening. I'm very thankful for these stories being shared 🧡 Would highly recommend to all Canadians, but especially those living in Western Canada.
March 18, 2018
Really puts the conversation on Reconciliation in perspective for all Canadians: Indigenous, settler, and immigrant.
April 19, 2018
My only criticism of this book is that I wish it had more indigenous voices. However, I reflected a lot while reading this and feel like I've come away with a growing understanding.
September 6, 2019
An incredible collection full of perspectives from across Canada. A great read for anyone wanting to understand more about reconciliation and what it really means.
May 18, 2023
Educational and powerful.
May 3, 2024
An excellent book and one I highly recommend to all.
July 3, 2024
15 mini essays with different perspectives on reconciliation. Thought provoking and powerful.
August 4, 2017
In This Together brings forth an impressive amalgamation of experiences from all over Canada - both the personal and factual. Connecting the past and present day, this essay collection combines perspectives from a wide range of peoples and lands - not an easy feat, given the huge number of Indigenous tribes and practices.
Including Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers means that the book can prove useful to anyone; every viewpoint is welcomed as long as there is a learning experience to share. My favourite part of this book was its focus on positivity. Acknowledgements of residential school and other horrors committed through colonialism are crucial, but the clear goal of each author is to establish effective change for the better, whether it's through community-building, awareness-spreading, or simply reconnecting with Indigenous ways of knowing and living.
I'd recommend this to any Canadian who wants a personal look at our nation's journey towards reconciliation.
Including Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers means that the book can prove useful to anyone; every viewpoint is welcomed as long as there is a learning experience to share. My favourite part of this book was its focus on positivity. Acknowledgements of residential school and other horrors committed through colonialism are crucial, but the clear goal of each author is to establish effective change for the better, whether it's through community-building, awareness-spreading, or simply reconnecting with Indigenous ways of knowing and living.
I'd recommend this to any Canadian who wants a personal look at our nation's journey towards reconciliation.
June 30, 2016
When I first started this book, the placement of the essays made me think it was more an exercise of white writers checking their privilege about reconciliation -- it's not, fortunately. Many of the essays are by First Nations people and those were the pieces I found most powerful. I wish the editor had led with those; it would have given the responses from settler writers (which are definitely needed as part of the wider T&R project) more context. Overall, it's a powerful collection and has given me more writers to follow on Twitter. I thought closing with the conversation between Rogers and Sinclair was a particularly strong choice. I could listen to them talk about Canada and how we move forward together as treaty people any day, and that's how the transcription of their conversation reads.
January 19, 2017
This is a fantastic book which draws you in and demands to be read start to finish! The accounts are deeply moving at times, and yet very accessible. One reading is simply not enough as there are too many points throughout where further thought and reflection are called for. This collection really is an excellent means of sharing the voices of a cross section of individuals who care deeply about what it means to be "in this together".
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in better understanding the TRC and even to those who are well-immersed.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in better understanding the TRC and even to those who are well-immersed.
December 22, 2022
2nd Time I've read this book ... Chosen for Book Club: This is a collection of narratives about "truth" and perspectives on ways forward to reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada. Each chapter is written by a different author so the work is somewhat uneven, however the book as a whole is an important introduction to issues that still need to be heard and addressed by Canadians as "allies" if the work of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to continue to help the country "move forward together in respectful partnership".
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