Working with Indigenous Literatures: Storytelling in Contemporary Contexts

The Indigenous Literatures Lab held another incredible event as part of our speaking series: Beyond Reconciliation in English Language Arts: Ethical Encounters with Indigenous Literatures as Enlivened Praxis.

Our panelists, author Alicia Elliott, scholar Dr. Kevin White, and artist/author Dr. Sara General, moderated by Dr. Jennifer Brant, engaged in powerful conversation to discuss the topic: Centering Haudenosaunee Narratives: Literacies of Land

A big thank you to our amazing vendors and community members who made this evening so special.

Another Story Bookshop

A recording will be made available shortly.

The Indigenous Literatures Lab presented the next event in our Speaker Series: Beyond Reconciliation in English Language Arts: Ethical Encounters with Indigenous Literatures as Enlivened Praxis.

We were joined by Dr. Joaquin Muñoz (UBC) and Dr. Amy Farrell (U of M) for a conversation on engaging Indigenous young adult literatures and storytelling in contemporary educational contexts.

This in-person community event aimed to build connections among Indigenous communities in Tkaronto, the broader literary arts community, ELA educators, and graduate students. A recording is available on our website

Another Story Bookshop, Page Two Books, and Indigenous Literatures Lab presented the Toronto launch of Ally Is A Verb by Rose LeMay, featuring a conversation with Tanya Talaga. Attendees began their journey of engagement and accountability by exploring how to be stronger allies to Indigenous colleagues, community members, and friends. In this thoughtful and practical guide, author Rose LeMay emphasized the importance of listening, ongoing self-education, and taking action to address systemic inequities. Readers gained insight into the true history of Indigenous–settler relations, the role of non-Indigenous people in reconciliation, and how to respond to racism and difficult emotions. With clear guidance and grounded principles, the book offered a meaningful path toward allyship and lasting change in communities and workplaces.

We hosted a special evening featuring Métis scholar Dr. Aubrey Jean Hanson and internationally acclaimed Métis author Katherena Vermette in conversation on the theme Becoming Good Relatives: Honouring Humanity within Indigenous Literatures. Together, they shared personal reflections and insights into their writing, exploring the meanings behind their stories and offering thoughtful ways to engage ethically with Indigenous literatures. This open gathering created space to build bridges between the Indigenous communities of Tkaronto, the broader Indigenous literary arts community, English Language Arts educators, and students.

 The event took place alongside the 20th Annual Strawberry Ceremony honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Trans, and Two-Spirit peoples, and was held in partnership with Another Storybook Store and the Indigenous Education Network.

This session was an open community event that aimed to continue centering the voices of Indigenous women, families, and communities, while supporting the collective calls to rematriate justice for Indigenous peoples. The gathering also brought people together to commemorate the work of Dr. Brant, celebrating her contributions and the enduring impact of her book.

We shared in an incredible evening discussing When the Pine Needles Fall: Indigenous Acts of Resistance by Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel, co-authored with historian Sean Carleton, offers a compelling firsthand account of the 1990 Kanehsatà:ke and Kahnawà:ke siege—commonly known as the Oka Crisis. As the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) spokesperson during the standoff, Gabriel provides an intimate narrative of her experiences leading up to, during, and following the 78-day confrontation. The book delves into themes of Indigenous sovereignty, land defense, and the enduring impacts of settler colonialism. Presented in a conversational format, it intertwines personal reflection with broader discussions on Indigenous language, philosophy, and the ongoing struggle for justice and decolonization. Gabriel's insights serve as both a historical record and a call to action, emphasizing the importance of protecting Indigenous homelands for the well-being of all