Racism, Colonialism, and Indigeneity in Canada: A Reader is a reader collecting the writings of Indigenous North Americans on racism and colonialism and the impact these forces have had-and continue to have-on the lives of Indigenous peoples. This is a collection that spans generations of thought and defies simple categorization. Editors Martin Cannon and Lina Sunseri offer a broad overview of Indigenous scholarship on such key issues as identity, citizenship, nationalism, territorial rights, health, education, family, community, policy, and criminal justice. After presenting a range of theoretical perspectives in the first section, the reader goes on to explore eight keys themes before presenting a conclusion that focuses on progress and the future of self-determination and colonial reparations. Central to this collection are discussion of the breach in the nation-to-nation pact between colonizing countries and Indigenous peoples as represented by the Two-Row Wampum, a ceremonial belt in which the two purple beaded lines signify equal and parallel governments.
Though the collection examines the many ways in which this treaty has not been fully respected, the volume editors note that the spirit of the relationship is not so easily broken. In their own words: 'Indeed, it is our objective to first revisit the original principles, and to remind all future generations, Indigenous or otherwise, of its terms'. Racism, Colonialism, and Indigeneity in Canada: A Reader strives to show how much can be gained by working across differences, revitalizing original partnerships and agreements, and coming together collectively as Canadian to overcome racism.