Our world is becoming more aware and engaged with questions of racism and racial violence in our present time. If we are going to be able to Make Jesus Real in the midst of our time it will require a commitment to slow down and interact with the issues with humility and understanding. Our three core anchors remind us to Foster Relationships, Take Time to Listen and Move With Purpose. A great way to do all three in this context is to spend time learning and hearing from diverse voices, especially people of colour. The following is a small list of resources that will help you begin this important process of learning to love your neighbour as yourself. If you have more resources to add based on your own experience, be sure to let us know at [email protected]

Although some of the resources connect to issues, south of the border, we too have a history of white domination and systemic racism in our country, that mimics many of the racial dynamics of our neighbours. Some of the resources deal directly with our own history of racism in relation to indigenous peoples and people of colour.

***Updated*** – Added our some new resources, especially books more specifically about the Canadian/Indigenous story. Much thanks to those who contributed more resources, especially Jonathan Toews, Donovan Bergman and Florence Neufeld. Please continue to share more resources.

If you are interested in making financial contributions to the struggle for racial justice in our country you can do it through Canada Helps.

Resources

Books

How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi

Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

Books on Indigenous Issues in Canada Updated

Indigenous Writes by Chelsea Vowel

The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King

Both books provide historical accounts of how Indigenous peoples in Canada (and North America) have been treated since before confederation. The authors are pointed in their criticism of Canada, but include humour and sarcasm to provide some levity to a heavy topic.

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act and Indigenous Relations by Bob Joseph

First person stories:

The Education of Augie Merasty by Joseph Auguste Merasty tells one man’s story of his time in residential schools and some of the abuses that tool place there.

In My Own Moccasins by Helen Knott tells the story of an Indigenous woman’s struggle with the sexual violence inflicted upon her and her pathway towards resilience.