New book offers the essential history of residential schools
One year after Maclean’s magazine proclaimed Winnipeg Canada’s most racist city, the University of Manitoba announces the release of a new book to help all Canadians on the path to reconciliation.
This past fall, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation officially opened its doors at the University of Manitoba. In direct and close partnership with the University, the NCTR provides opportunities for survivors, their families, researchers and students to interact with the oral and documentary history of residential schools.
This January, the University of Manitoba Press, working in collaboration with the NCTR, released A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (296 pages, $17.95).
“We know that more and more Canadians want to learn more about the story of residential schools,” says David Carr, Director of University of Manitoba Press. “By providing this accessible introduction to the history of the residential schools, we hope that A Knock on the Door will give all Canadians some of the background and become part of our national journey of reconciliation.”
A Knock on the Door brings together some of the essential documents of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s reports. Also included are a foreword by former Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Phil Fontaine and residential school survivor Phil Fontaine.
“The attempt to transform us failed,” notes Fontaine. “The true legacy of the survivors, then, will be the transformation of Canada.”
The book concludes with an afterword by Aimée Craft, Director of Research and award-winning author, introducing the holdings and opportunities of the NCTR, home to the archive of recordings and documents collected by the TRC at the University of Manitoba.
“Understanding this history is essential to move us further down the path of reconciliation,” says NCTR Director Ry Moran. “We need to come to terms with this history and A Knock on the Door is a highly accessible read that is essential to further understanding.”
The book is also available in accessibly-priced electronic formats. A portion of all sales will be returned to the NCTR to assist in its work.