First Nations 101 - by Lynda Gray (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

First Nations 101: Tons of Stuff You Need to Know (2nd edition) by Lynda Gray, member of the Gisbutwada (killer whale) Clan of the Ts'msyen Nation and the community of Lax Kw'alaams, is a comprehensive, accessible overview of the real history of Canada as it relates to Indigenous people.

First Nations 101 sheds light on a wide range of topics, from cultural practices and societal structures, and holistic health and wellness to the lasting effects of the Indian Act, which legislated mandatory attendance at residential schools, among other detrimental policies. This expanded second edition with 16 new chapters delves into traditional Indigenous communities, the colonial interventions aimed at assimilating Indigenous people into mainstream society, and the profound impact of these interventions on Indigenous communities.

Designed for Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers, First Nations 101 is a valuable tool for educators, students, and anyone interested in making meaningful change.
$1 from each book sold will be donated to the Ts'msyen Revolution Fund to help support Ts'msyen language and culture revitalization in laxyuubm Ts'msyen (Ts'msyen territory).

About the Author

Lynda Gray is a member of the Gisbutwada (Killerwhale) Clan of the Ts'msyen Nation and the community of Lax Kw'alaams on the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Born in Prince Rupert, she spent most of her life in East Vancouver. Gray's work is grounded in community development, youth empowerment, and culture as therapy. She has a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of British Columbia, was the executive director of the Urban Native Youth Association, conducts workshops and training, and serves on community boards. She and her children, Northwest Coast artist Phil Gray and Associate Professor Dr. Robin Gray, have learned much about their Ts'msyen culture and community from participating in the Kxeen Ts'msyen Dance Group, attending traditional feasts in Lax Kw'alaams, and actively learning their ancestral language, Sm'algyax. In 2013, Gray bought a home in Prince Rupert so she and her children could reconnect to their Nation, family, homelands, and culture.