Boarding Schools and Residential Schools

The United States enacted settler colonial displacement and genocide of Indigenous peoples through a number of means, including Native American boarding schools, including the Michigan Indian Industrial Boarding Schools (MIIBS) located in Mount Pleasant. On this page you will find books and other resources related to boarding schools in the United States and residential schools in Canada. Some books here are things that we know to be true, others are imagined based on real situations.

Age groups listed here are generalities - many books written for a picture book audience are also very appropriate and useful for an older audience. 

BOOKS BY AUDIENCE

AGES 3-8

Abalone woman by Teoni Spathelfer, Heiltsuk Nation, illustrated by Natassia Davies, Coast Salish

Amik loves school : a story of wisdom by katherena vermette, Red River Métis (Michif)

Coming home : a Hopi resistance story = Tutuqaykingaqw nima : hopisino pahan tutqayiwuy ep yorhomti by Mavasta Honyouti, Iswungwa (Coyote clan), from Hotevilla, Arizona on the Hopi Reservation
ebook
audiobook, narrated by Marilyn Parra, Hopi

Dad, I miss you: a residential school story by Nadia Sammurtok, Inuit

Fatty legs : a true story by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton, Inuvialuk 
ebook
audiobook, narrated by Lisa Nasson, Millbrook First Nation

Free to fly by Karina Iceberg, Aleut (Unangax) and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) Nations of Alaska, illustrated by Steph Littlebird, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

I am Osage : how Clarence Tinker became the first Native American general by Kim Rogers, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, illustrated by Bobby Von Martin, Choctaw

Little shoes by David Robertson, Norway House Cree Nation, illustrated by Maya McKibbin,  Irish-settler, Ojibwe with roots in White Earth Nation and diaspora from Zacatecas in Mexico

Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell, Nłeʔkepmx, Syilx, and Métis, illustrated by Kim LaFave

Shin-chi's canoe by Nicola I. Campbell, Nłeʔkepmx, Syilx, and Métis, illustrated by Kim LaFave

With Our Orange Hearts by Phyllis Webstad, Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, illustrated by Emily Kewageshig, Saugeen First Nation

AGES 6-10

Every child matters by Phyllis Webstad, Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, illustrated by Karlene Harvey (Tsilhqot’in, Syilx, and a mix of European ancestry)

Home to Medicine Mountain by Chiori Santiago, illustrated by Judith Lowry, Hamawi Pit River, Mountain Maidu, and Washo mixed with a Scottish –Irish background

Miya wears orange by Wanda John-Kehewin, Cree, illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina

Not my girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton, Inuvialuk, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
audiobook, narrated by Lisa Nasson, Millbrook First Nation

The orange shirt story by Phyllis Webstad, Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, illustrated by Nicol Brock

The secret pocket by Peggy Janicki, Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation, illustrated by Carrielynn Victor
ebook

We are still here! : Native American truths everyone should know by Traci Sorell, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, illustrated by Frané Lessac
ebook
audiobook, narrated by the author

When I was eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton, Inuvialuk, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
audiobook, narrated by Lisa Nasson, Millbrook First Nation

When we were alone by David Robertson, Norway House Cree Nation, illustrated by Julie Flett, Cree-Métis
 ebook

AGES 8-12

The barren grounds by David Robertson, Norway House Cree Nation
ebook
audiobook, narrated by Brefny Caribou, Cree/Irish-Settler

Boarding schools by Heather Bruegl, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin

Buffalo dreamer by Violet Duncan, Kehewin Cree Nation
ebook
audiobook, narrated by Ashley Callingbull, Enoch Cree Nation

Charles Albert Bender : baseball star by Katrina M. Phillips, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe

Charles Albert Bender : National Hall of Fame pitcher by Kade Ferris, Manitoba Métis Federation

Firefly : a boarding school story by Elizabeth Albert-Peacock, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, illustrated by Anna Granholm

Gaawin gindaaswin ndaawsii by Jenny Kay Dupuis, Nipissing First Nation, and Kathy Kacer, illustrated by Gillian Newland

I am not a number by Jenny Kay Dupuis, Nipissing First Nation, and Kathy Kacer, illustrated by Gillian Newland
ebook

In our own words : true stories of Indian boarding schools by Brenda J. Child, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians with contributions by Benay McNamara, Ojibwe, and illustrations by Steve Premo, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
ebook
audiobook, narrated by Benay McNamara, Ojibwe

Indigenous history from 1887-1932 : the allotment and assimilation era by E.A. Hale, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Indigenous language revitalization : from boarding schools and code talkers to immersion learning by Katrina M. Phillips, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe

Saltypie : a Choctaw journey from darkness into light by Tim Tingle, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, illustrated by Karen Clarkson, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Shirley : an Indian residential school story by Joanne Robertson, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (White Fish Lake First Nation), with Shirley (Fletcher) Horn, Missanabie Cree First Nation

The train by Jodie Callaghan,  illustrated by Georgia Lesley
ebook

AGES 12+

The river run by Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe

Shards of silence by Brian Young, Navajo Nation
 ebook
audiobook, narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, mixed-race artist of Amskapi Pikunni (Blackfeet), Scandinavian, Irish, and Black heritage

Wiijiwaaganag : more than brothers by Peter Razor, Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa Indians

BOOKS FOR A GENERAL AUDIENCE

American Indian Boarding Schools : An Exploration of Global Ethnic & cultural Cleansing, A Supplementary Curriculum Guide by Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways
download the PDF

As long as the rivers flow by James Bartleman, Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Away from home : American Indian boarding school experiences, 1879-2000 edited by Margaret L. Archuleta, Taos Pueblo, Brenda J. Child, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, and K. Tsianina Lomawaima, Mvskoke/Creek

Beyond the orange shirt story : a collection of stories from family and friends of Phyllis Webstad before, during, and after their residential school experiences by Phyllis Webstad, Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation

Beyond the Orange Shirt Story Teacher Lesson Plan by Phyllis Webstad,  Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation

Boarding school blues : revisiting American Indian educational experiences edited and with an introduction by Clifford E. Trafzer, Wyandot/German-English, Jean A. Keller, and Lorene Sisquoc

Boarding school seasons : American Indian families, 1900-1940 by Brenda J. Child, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians

The Boy from Buzwah: A Life in Indian Education by Cecil King, Wikwemkong First Nation

Children left behind : dark legacy of Indian mission boarding schools by Tim A. Giago, Oglala Lakota Tribe

A council of dolls by Mona Susan Power, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
ebook
audiobook, narrated by Isabella Star LaBlanc, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation

The dance boots by Linda LeGarde Grover, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Indians
ebook

From our mothers' arms : the intergenerational impact of residential schools in Saskatchewan by Constance Deiter, Peepeekisis Cree Nation No. 81

Genocidal love : a life after residential school by Bevann Fox, Pasqua First Nation

Indian horse : a novel by Richard Wagamese
ebook

Indian school days by Basil Johnston, Chippewas of the Nawash First Nation

Kiss of the fur queen by Tomson Highway, Cree

Medicine River : a story of survival and the legacy of Indian boarding schools by Mary Annette Pember, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe
audiobook, narrated by Erin Tripp

Michigan Indian boarding school survivors speak out : a narrative history by Sharon Marie Brunner, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
ebook

Orange Shirt Day by the Orange Shirt Society

Pipestone : my life in an Indian boarding school by Adam Fortunate Eagle, the son of a Swedish man and Chippewa woman
audiobook, narrated by Kaipo Schwab, of Hawaiian/Chinese-German/Irish descent

Reflections from them days : a residential school memoir from Nunatsiavut by Nellie Winters, Okak Bay

Residential schools : with the words and images of survivors by Larry Loyie, Cree

Stealing Little Moon : the legacy of the American Indian boarding schools by Dan SaSuWeh Jones, Ponca Tribe of Indians
ebook
audiobook, narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, mixed-race artist of Amskapi Pikunni (Blackfeet), Scandinavian, Irish, and Black heritage, and Denise K. Lajimodiere, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians

They called it prairie light : the story of Chilocco Indian School by K. Tsianina Lomawaima, Mvskoke/Creek

They called me number one : secrets and survival at an Indian residential school by Bev Sellars, Xat’sull (Soda Creek) First Nation
 ebook

"To remain an Indian" : lessons in democracy from a century of Native American education by K. Tsianina Lomawaima, Mvskoke/Creek
ebook

Truth and reconciliation in Canadian schools by Pamela Rose Toulouse, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation


Wounded memories : growing up Lakota by Veronica New Holy-Jones, Oglala Lakota Tribe

ONLINE RESOURCES

Michigan Indian Industrial Boarding School: a website from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan

Indian Residential School Survivors' Storybase: A project that seeks to bring together the multitude of Stories from Residential School Survivors available online in one searchable format. The collection emphasizes audio and video recordings with the aim of connecting directly to the individual storytelling styles, personalities, emotions and experiences of Survivors. Recordings are primarily in English or Indigenous languages with English transcriptions or subtitles available.