Just a few days later, on June 6, a Muslim family in London, Ontario were the victims of a hate crime. A driver intentionally struck them as they were out for an evening walk, killing four members of the five-person family. Authorities have confirmed that the family was targeted because they were Muslim. Many white settler Canadians think that racism does not exist here, or that it’s “not as bad” as it is in the United States. However, that is simply false. Canada as it exists now is a country founded by colonizers. Racism has been part of its story since those first colonizers arrived. In the wake of these recent tragedies, there are growing calls for Canadians to learn more about Indigenous history and the experiences of Canadian people of color. A movement called #CancelCanadaDay, led by Indigenous group Idle No More, urges communities across the country to cancel planned Canada Day celebrations on July 1 and make it a day of mourning, education, and activism. In that spirit, here’s a #CancelCanadaDay reading list to learn more about Canada’s history, colonization, and the lived experiences of people of color in this country.
Nonfiction Books About Racism and Colonialism in Canada
Books About Residential Schools in Canada
Memoirs and Essays by BIPOC Canadians
To start a #CancelCanadaDay reading list for children, make sure to check out the books on this list of picture books about residential schools. Looking to expand your own #CancelCanadaDay reading list? Check out this list of books by Indigenous writers in Canada, these five Muslim Canadian books, and this list of books by Black Canadians.
