A Cree author from Winnipeg is having his book return to library shelves across the Ontario system. This is happening after the school board subtly pulled the book out of school libraries.
The Durham District School Board has announced that it will be returning David A. Robertson’s book, entitled “The Great Bear,” to school libraries. The title joins two other books that were also taken out of the system. The decision came after members of the Indigenous communities started raising concerns about the move signaling to people that the school system no longer values the indigenous peoples of Canada.
“We recognize that the Indigenous families who came forward did so with the intent to ensure we meet their children’s needs,” shared the Durham District School Board in an official statement. “We also understand that for many families, the importance of accessing books that reflect Indigenous lived realities is critically important.”
“The Great Bear” follows the story of two characters, Eli and Morgan, as they time travel to the past and visit a fictional land called Misewa. The two characters are indigenous foster children who open up a portal to another world and go through adventures that help them discover themselves and face inner demons. “The Great Bear” is the second title in a series that has been dubbed “The Misewa Saga.”
While the school board did not explain the concerns raised in detail, the statement pointed out to “indigenous stereotypes and terminology that could perpetuate discrimination.” “Those discussions have placed the focus on the importance of making books by Indigenous authors available to students, particularly Indigenous students based on providing choice. In response to this feedback, we will be returning the books to library circulation,” the statement reads.
Book author Robertson has also shared his thoughts on the decision to bring back his title, saying he is satisfied with the decision but continues to raise some questions on why the board decided to remove the book in the first place. “I think that me and my publisher are really owed some sort of explanation. It was a very stressful and very upsetting week, and it took a lot out of me,” the author shares. “The impact that it has on authors, when something like this happens, I think they do deserve some sort of an explanation.”
