I was walking around my new neighbourhood here in Houston, Texas, and all the pumpkins, witches and ghosts decorating homes got me thinking about the Charles Camsell Hospital and how far we’ve come. In 2014, when I first started researching the Camsell in earnest, most news stories and internet hits talked about its status asContinue reading “The Charles Camsell Indian Hospital: From Haunting to Understanding”
Category Archives: Writing & Publishing
A Celebration and Transformation
When I decided to throw a party to launch my new book in the US, I wondered the best way to do it. While traditional book launches are lovely, this book has been all about creating community, having tricky discussions, and seeing each other through new eyes. I wanted my young son to be ableContinue reading “A Celebration and Transformation”
Time To Celebrate – and Work – Together Stateside!
I am beyond thrilled with how much In This Together has connected with readers, teachers, reconciliation advocates, and politicians in Canada. Since it launched in April, it has become a regional as well as National Post bestseller and has gone to a second printing. And every week I hear from someone by email, on Twitter, onContinue reading “Time To Celebrate – and Work – Together Stateside!”
Off 6 coffee house series ready to kick off!
When I moved to the Houston area a few months ago, I was a little in shock. But recently a good friend told me a great saying: “Bloom where you’re planted.” So that’s what I’m doing. In the different towns and suburbs I’ve lived in across North America, one thing has always helped me feelContinue reading “Off 6 coffee house series ready to kick off!”
Review of Salt to the Sea
Salt to the Sea is a poignant book I devoured in two sittings. I thought the multiple viewpoints and tiny (2-3 page chapters) would bother me, but instead author Ruta Sepetys handled them masterfully and it kept the pace moving at a clip. It is a tough read emotionally because of the subject matter andContinue reading “Review of Salt to the Sea”
How Contrarians Read a Book on Reconciliation: Jonathan Kay and In This Together
Disclaimer: What follows are my own ideas and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher (Brindle & Glass) and contributors. Also, I recognize the weirdness of two settlers discussing some of these ideas back and forth. But as some of my colleagues have told me, “we’re sick and tired of explaining this crap. YouContinue reading “How Contrarians Read a Book on Reconciliation: Jonathan Kay and In This Together”
Reconciliation Talk at Indigenous Arts Festival @ Fort York in Toronto
Quill & Quire Praises In This Together Anthology!
A selection of personal essays by indigenous and non-indigenous writers, In This Together: Fifteen Stories of Truth and Reconciliation is a call for meaningful reconciliation between colonizers and indigenous people. Edited by author and historian Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail, the anthology looks beyond government lip service and into the heart of Canada’s shameful past—and present. The theme of lossContinue reading “Quill & Quire Praises In This Together Anthology!”
In This Together off to a great start!
I am truly humbled by the excitement in Edmonton around the launch of the anthology – and the willingness of people to engage with the messy reality of reconciliation. It has been an incredible week with the launch at Edmonton Public Library, media chats, conferences and learning. Here’s a roundup of some of theContinue reading “In This Together off to a great start!”