Truth and Representation: Perceptions and the Pathway to Healing - Session Recording
Facilitated By: David A. Robertson and Ainara Alleyne
Recorded On: October 26, 2021
Join us for the 10th Annual Family Literacy Conference for Professionals! Participants partake in inter-professional perspectives, reflective dialogue, and collaborative inquiry as we consider all facets of literacy in relation to overall well-being, children’s rights, and in building safe, inclusive, and vibrant communities and learning environments.
This year, the Family Literacy Conference is going virtual! Through four special evening presentations, we will explore the power of story and storytelling in our work with children, youth, and families. How do stories shape us, connect us, challenge us, inspire us? And how can we engage with story as a tool to lift up and empower young voices?
Evening three invites acclaimed children's author, David A. Roberston, to share, Truth and Representation: Perceptions and the Pathway to Healing.
Historically, Indigenous representation in popular culture has had a disastrous effect on how Indigenous peoples are perceived and on Indigenous peoples self-perception. Over the last decade, how Indigenous peoples have been depicted throughout popular culture has improved, but there is still work to be done. What are the impacts of this negative representation on all segments of the population, both historically and from a contemporary perspective? And how do accurate representations change this country within the context of reconciliation, particularly through the use of our own voice and through literature?
Following his presentation, David will be joined by 12-year-old activist and bibliophile, Ainara Alleyne, for a special question and answer period.
Facilitator Bio
David A. Robertson is the author of numerous books and graphic novels for young readers including When We Were Alone, which won the 2017 Governor General's Literacy Award and was nominated for the TD Canada Canadian Children’s Literature Award. He has just published a new picture book, On the Trapline, with his collaborator, Julie Flett. Later this year, he’ll release the second book in his Misewa Saga, The Great Bear. The Barren Grounds, the first book in that series, was named the Best of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews, NPR, the CBC, and the Centre for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature. The Barren Grounds was also an Ontario Library Association Silver Birch selection, Texas Library Association Lone Star Selection, and 2021 Global Read Aloud choice. Dave is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg.
You can connect with David on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at https://www.darobertson.ca/
Facilitator Bio
Ainara Alleyne is a 12-year-old elementary student from Hamilton Ontario. Ainara curates the Instagram page @ainarasbookshelf, where she highlights books for young people whose authors and main characters are Black, Indigenous, people of colour, the differently abled and other underrepresented minorities. She believes that by experiencing other cultures and perspectives through books, we can not only acknowledge our differences but be able to understand and embrace them. Ainara has been featured on CBC's The National, CTV and numerous podcasts. As of January 1st, Ainara is Hamilton Public Library's first Junior Librarian in Residence, working with library staff to diversify their catalogue. She is also currently working on a project called Diverse Readers, Future Leaders, to help provide kids in low income households with books.