Raven Reads was founded on the premise of raising awareness of our collective histories, lived experiences and supporting Indigenous authors and entrepreneurs. We are 100% Indigenous owned and women run. By simply subscribing to our box you are having a tremendous impact. Since our inception, we have invested over $500,000 CAD into other Indigenous businesses and authors across Canada and the USA.

Your purchase helps amplify Indigenous voices and brands and helps Indigenous entrepreneurs and authors take a stronger position in the economy and to grow healthier communities.

My mixed-heritage and Indigenous (Michif) roots have instilled a passion in me for finding interesting ways to engage, inspire and motivate those around me. Raven Reads was born from a desire to educate others about the devastating impact residential schools had on Indigenous people in Canada.

Residential schools were in place in Canada for more than a century, with the last one closing in 1996. Over 150,000 children attended these schools and many never returned. Often underfunded and overcrowded, these schools were used as a tool of assimilation. Thousands of students suffered physical and sexual abuse - all suffered from loneliness and a longing to be home with their families. Entire cultures, languages and ways of life were wiped out and the impact inflicted by these schools continues to be felt to this day.

The Truth & Reconciliation Committee’s final report (released in 2015) laid the foundation for a way to find common ground for moving forward for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

As many of us do, I frequently ask myself what does reconciliation mean and what role can I play in this? I know that reconciliation means different things to different people. To many, it’s about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in this country. For that to happen, there must be awareness of our collective past along with action that will change behaviour.

We are not there yet. The relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is not a mutually respectful one.

But I believe we can get there.

Maarsii. Miigwetch.