IONS is situated in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaw people. Unceded means that the Mi’kmaq have never relinquished, sold, traded, or transferred ownership of their land to European settler colonies, yet land was taken over without their consent through various processes of settler colonialism. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, which the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik people first signed with the British Crown in 1726. These Treaties did not involve the surrendering of rights to the lands and resources they had traditionally used and occupied. We are all Treaty People.

We further acknowledge that Nova Scotia is the birthplace of Black culture and heritage in Canada. People of African descent have shared these lands for over 400 years, and over 50 strong and resourceful African Nova Scotian communities exist here today.

We are committed to the struggle against systems of oppression that have resulted in profound inequities and the denial of self-determination rights. We are working actively to deepen our learning at an individual level, provide learning opportunities about anti-racism and decolonization, and to develop partnerships with organizations serving and led by underrepresented groups.
Further Reading. Books and articles to support your decolonization learning journey.

Books & Articles to further your Decolonization Learning Journey

Curated by our Host Team

IONS recognizes the existence of Anti-Indigenous Racism in Mi’kma’ki and its deep historical roots. We commit to working in solidarity with our Mi’kmaq colleagues, partners, and collaborators, to speak out against this form of racism and to help the nonprofit and voluntary sector in the province implement the TRC recommendations, decolonize their organizations and work collectively for meaningful social change to address the underlying and entrenched systemic issues.

Throughout our Decolonization Learning Journey series we have been gathering resources and information by our hosting team, including Elder Jane Meader, Mary Beth Doucette, and Unama’ki College. We hope that these resources help you in your own learning and as we continue our online learning series we will add resources to deepen our understanding and move towards meaningful and long-term change.

Scroll below to find Books and Articles to help you learn more about Indigenous History, Current Affairs, and how to be a better ally.

Books

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG READERS

  • When We Were Alone – by David A. Robertson
  • Children’s Book series available in Mi’kmaw, English, and French:
    • Antle Learns to Skate
    • Pikto’l Goes to Treaty Day
    • Kalolin Learns About Baskets
    • Aliet Learns to Make Lu’sknikn
    • Pikto’l Learns the Kojua
    • Kalolin Goes to Potlotek
      • Contact Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey for information to purchase:
      • Phone: 902-567-0336 / Email: [email protected]

ARTICLES / DIGITAL RESOURCES

See more IONS documents and search for capacity-building content in our resource library

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