The Library encourages our community to learn more about Indigenous history and heritage. The continued tradition of oral histories through storytelling will ensure that Indigenous peoples’ truths are not erased, and historical accuracy is preserved.
Monique Gray Smith Author Visit
Monday, September 28, 2026
6:30–8 p.m.
Main Branch
Bestselling author Monique Gray Smith will discuss her personal journey of truth and reconciliation and read from her various books. She will explore Canada’s historical treatment of Indigenous people and how it impacts them today, and she will share her Cultural Resilience model and strategies for weaving aspects into our work. Attend virtually or come to the Main Branch for a special watch party!
Presented in partnership with Durham and York Region Libraries.
- Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website and view their Calls to Action, and/or learn more about the origins of Orange Shirt Day.
- Visit or volunteer at The Indigenous Community & Healing Garden.
- Reflect with your children to understand this part of Canada's history by reading together and having conversations.
- Learn about Indigenous history and culture, and discover stories by and about Indigenous peoples.
- Watch the five-part Durham Indigenous Voices series, hosted in partnership with other Durham libraries, Durham College, Ontario Tech University, Durham College Student Institute, and Ontario Tech Student Union.
- Watch a video created by a Durham College student, a "visual interpretation of my struggles growing up as a white Indigenous person in the suburbs. Feeling stuck between two worlds, floating in the twilight zone".
- Access the Indian Residential School Survivors' Storybase created by University of Toronto Libraries. Warning: Stories contain extremely difficult subject matter, relating to physical, mental, sexual, and emotional abuse that survivors experienced in Residential Schools.
On September 30th, 2021, Durham Libraries invited bestselling, award-winning children's authors to speak on their favourite Indigenous works. Watch David A. Robertson (The Barren Grounds, On the Trapline), Melanie Florence (Stolen Words, Just Lucky), and Jay Odjick (illustrator of Blackflies and Bear for Breakfast, written by Robert Munsch) for a special prerecorded library presentation.
While the video is no longer available, check out their books - and some of author Melanie Florence's favourites! Download your PDF reading list.